As they approached the Lan Feng International Hotel, the crowd grew denser, and security personnel were stationed at the intersections.
Temporary white fences had been set up along the narrow road leading out of the parking lot and in the square outside the hotel.
The crowd surged, making the area appear especially packed.
Fans had even climbed onto nearby steps and low walls, excitedly waving their posters and light boards.
Hearing the "buzz buzz" of conversations around him and feeling the lively atmosphere of the fan support, Tang Song once again experienced Su Yu's massive influence firsthand.
Fortunately, the fans behaved in an orderly manner, refraining from blocking roads or entrances. Instead, they eagerly gazed in the direction of the hotel.
With the concert about to begin, stars staying at the hotel were expected to leave for the Olympic Center's backstage lounge sometime in the afternoon.
The fans gathered here, primarily hoping to let their idols feel their enthusiasm.
"Excuse me! Excuse me!" A voice called out behind him.
Immediately, Tang Song felt a slight nudge on his arm.
Turning around, he spotted a familiar figure dressed in all black, carrying a bottle of mineral water—Liu Wenning?
Tang Song raised an eyebrow, looking at the internet-famous singer who had previously damaged his car cover.
Liu Wenning's expression froze for a moment, his eye twitching, and his fists clenched.
The events of their last encounter came flooding back to him: Gao Mengting, the car cover, the police station, seeking forgiveness, and the detention…
Pressing his lips together, Liu Wenning cast Tang Song a disdainful glance before taking a few steps forward.
With a loud "thud," he placed the bottle of mineral water on the ground and turned to a group of girls with a smile. "It's almost noon, and it’s really hot. I got some ice water for you so you don’t get heatstroke."
"Thank you!" "Thanks so much!"
The girls chirped in gratitude.
Following the sound, Tang Song noticed some more familiar faces—students from Yan City University who had joined him during the last fan support event in Shanghai.
They stood just outside the hotel entrance, wearing purple T-shirts emblazoned with Su Yu's name. Their faces and necks were adorned with rhinestone stickers, and they held light boards and posters as part of their fan gear.
Standing quietly in a corner behind them was Cheng Qiuqiu, also wearing a purple fan T-shirt. Her chest stood out prominently, her voluminous wavy brown hair framing a strikingly aloof yet seductive face, making her particularly eye-catching.
Next to her stood another familiar figure—a female member of the "White Knights" band.
As he drew closer, a girl from the fan support group, Xiao Qing, was the first to spot him.
"Tang Song! Are you here to support as well?" she waved enthusiastically, her face alight with a warm smile.
Soon, others noticed him too.
"Wow! It's you, little brother! What a coincidence!"
"Your outfit looks amazing today! So handsome!"
"We saw online that the stars performing at the concert are all staying here at Lan Feng International. We came early in the morning, but we haven’t seen anyone yet."
...
Tang Song smiled and waved at them, greeting, "Xiao Qing, Cheng Cheng..."
The lively, youthful girls quickly surrounded him, chatting enthusiastically.
During the Shanghai fan meet, Tang Song had been introduced to this group by Qiuqiu, a prominent figure in the fan circle. They had spent the whole day together, forming a friendly rapport.
Occasionally, Tang Song would even join their fan group chats, which had clearly left a good impression on them.
Liu Wenning's face darkened instantly.
D*mn it! What rotten luck! Why does this guy keep showing up everywhere like a bad penny?
He clenched his fists tightly and turned to Cheng Qiuqiu and Molly. "The sun's getting stronger; let's go rest under the shade over there."
The memory of his last encounter with Tang Song—a humiliating chapter of his life involving Gao Mengting, the car cover, the police station, pleading for forgiveness, and detention—was still fresh and painful. The last thing he wanted was to face Tang Song again in front of Cheng Qiuqiu and rekindle those embarrassing memories.
At that moment, Xiao Qing pulled Tang Song towards them, exclaiming, "Qiuqiu, look who’s here! Our fan group’s MVP!"
"Tang Song." Cheng Qiuqiu waved her light board slightly, smiling faintly. "Since it’s a weekday, most of the fan club members here are students. I noticed you didn’t say anything in the group chat after we announced this, so I assumed you were too busy with work to join us and didn’t notify you individually."
Tang Song smiled and nodded. "I do have some business to handle here, but I thought I’d swing by to support Su Yu and soak in the atmosphere."
Seeing the fans dressed to the nines, Tang Song felt a little out of place.
Once a self-proclaimed die-hard Su Yu fan who had gone all the way to the Shanghai Film Festival for her, now he wasn’t wearing anything Su Yu-themed, making him stand out awkwardly among the passionate crowd.
Listening to the familiar ease between Tang Song and Cheng Qiuqiu, Liu Wenning’s expression stiffened. He shot Tang Song a glare full of unveiled hostility.
When did this guy worm his way into Su Yu’s fan club and even start cozying up to Cheng Qiuqiu?
"Hello, handsome," Molly said curiously. "Qiuqiu, you know him? How come you’ve never mentioned it?"
This guy had already caught her attention with his striking looks when they met at the bar. Later, his demeanor and presence at the police station had left a lasting impression.
Cheng Qiuqiu glanced at Tang Song and then at Liu Wenning, feeling a bit awkward. "Yeah, we know each other, though… well, it’s a long story."
She had met Tang Song at Shimmer Coffee, and the subsequent incident involving Liu Wenning kicking the car had escalated to the police station, leaving some bad blood.
With both of them being her friends, meeting like this left her at a loss for how to handle things.
Seeing Cheng Qiuqiu at a loss for words, Tang Song chuckled lightly and introduced himself. "Hello, I’m Tang Song, a friend of Qiuqiu’s."
Liu Wenning pressed his lips together, his expression icy as he looked at Tang Song. He could feel Tang Song’s utter indifference, as though he didn’t even deem him worth acknowledging.
"Hi, I’m Molly, also Qiuqiu’s friend," Molly said, looking at Liu Wenning before turning back to Tang Song with a smile. "I guess we could say we got off on the wrong foot last time. If I caused any trouble, I hope you can forgive me."
Why on earth would she risk souring things with a young, charming man who drove a luxury car worth millions? That would be foolish.
Tang Song smiled and shook his head. "It’s all in the past. Don’t worry about it."
Hearing that, Cheng Qiuqiu breathed a sigh of relief, feeling a little more at ease.
After glancing at Tang Song’s simple outfit, she seemed to have an idea. She removed a purple bracelet from her wrist and held it out to him.
"This is a bracelet I made myself. It has Su Yu’s name on it. Here, for you."
"Thank you." Tang Song hesitated before taking it and examining it with a smile. "It’s beautiful. Now I finally have a support item."
The intricately woven purple bracelet featured a small transparent charm in the center with Su Yu’s name engraved inside. It was a fun DIY accessory, stylish yet unisex.
Cheng Qiuqiu bit her lip and offered, "Let me help you put it on."
She loosened the bracelet and slipped it onto Tang Song’s wrist, adjusting it to a comfortable fit.
"There, all set."
The bracelet stood out beautifully against his skin.
"Thanks," Tang Song said, raising his wrist to admire it, his face lighting up with joy.
A sudden thought struck him, and he opened the system interface.
The brightness of the aura above the 3D model’s head had noticeably increased.
Checking the details of the Heartthrob Aura (LV4):
Current Charge: 3%.
Beside him, Liu Wenning took a deep breath and picked up two bottles of mineral water from the ground.
"Qiuqiu, Molly, it’s almost noon. It’s getting hotter. Stay hydrated to avoid heatstroke."
The two girls took the water and thanked him.
Cheng Qiuqiu glanced at Tang Song, then offered him her bottle of water. "It really is hot. Here, have some ice water; it’ll make you feel better."
She was someone who knew right from wrong.
The previous incident had been entirely Liu Wenning and Zhou Dongbing’s fault, and this gesture was her way of smoothing things over.
Liu Wenning’s eye twitched as he blurted out, "Qiuqiu, if he wants water, he can buy his own!"
His intense dislike for Tang Song was evident, and seeing her offer the water he had bought with effort made his anger boil over.
Cheng Qiuqiu paused, her gaze towards Liu Wenning subtly changing.
She bit her pink lips and set the bottle back down, saying lightly, "Fine, I’ll just go get my own later."
The other girls, who were friendly with Tang Song, also put their bottles back.
"In that case, let’s all go get some water later."
Liu Wenning stood there, his face alternating between red and white, utterly humiliated.
Watching the girls around him, Tang Song smiled warmly and glanced at his wrist to check the time.
10:15 a.m.
At this time of day, the temperature already felt over 30°C. The occasional sunlight breaking through the clouds made the heat even more oppressive.
Tang Song clapped his hands lightly and suggested with a smile, "It really is hot out here. Standing outside is just punishment—why don’t you head to the hotel lobby and wait inside?"
Cheng Qiuqiu shook her head. "We can’t. The hotel has set up a restricted area, and only guests are allowed inside. But all the rooms were booked out by the concert crew ages ago."
"Yeah, I arrived a little after 6 a.m., and there wasn’t much of a crowd yet. I tried sneaking in but got caught immediately. You wouldn’t believe it—the place is swarming with security guards in black suits and sunglasses," another girl chimed in.
"Well, considering all the A-list celebrities inside, strict security measures are only to be expected," someone else added, and the group nodded in agreement.
"Wait here for a moment," Tang Song said, pulling his phone out of his pocket.
Liu Wenning smirked slightly, his tone laced with mockery. "The stars staying here are some of the top domestic and international names. Security is handled by professionals. Even if you’ve got some connection with the hotel, it’s completely useless right now."
Ignoring him, Tang Song found Mo Xiangwan’s contact and made the call.
The phone barely rang twice before it was picked up.
A mature and elegant voice came through. "President Tang!"
"Good morning, Xiangwan." Though Tang Song’s tone sounded calm, a subtle tremor betrayed his emotions.
Mo Xiangwan’s voice quickened slightly. "Good morning, President Tang. Xiao Yu and I are both in Yan City for the upcoming concert. Did you call to discuss a new arrangement?"
Tang Song glanced up at the towering Lan Feng International Hotel. "I’m outside Lan Feng International Hotel. Let’s talk in person. Have someone come out to escort me in."
"Of course! Please wait a moment—I’ll contact the person in charge right away!"
"Bye."
Ending the call, Tang Song took a deep breath to settle his nerves.
He turned to Cheng Qiuqiu, Xiao Qing, and the others, gesturing an "OK" sign. "Just a moment."
"Are you serious?"
"Little brother, you’re not joking, right?"
The Lan Feng International Hotel was currently housing a large number of stars and entertainers.
If they managed to get inside, they might even catch a glimpse of Su Yu the moment she walked out—assuming, of course, that she was staying there.
There wasn’t any concrete proof to confirm this yet, as online speculation was all they had to go on.
But even the possibility was enough to send the group into a flurry of excitement.
A few minutes later, Tang Song’s phone rang. After a brief exchange, he hung up and waved to the group with a smile. "Let’s go, everyone. I’ll take you in."
The girls cheered excitedly and quickly followed him.
"Show-off!" Liu Wenning spat, watching Cheng Qiuqiu walk off without a backward glance. His lips tightened, and a sharp ache gripped his chest.
Molly glanced at Liu Wenning but decided not to follow, sighing as she looked towards the others.
Her idol was part of a rock band invited as a guest performer for the concert and was currently staying at the hotel. Of course, she felt tempted to go in.
But with the hotel’s strict controls, it was nearly impossible to even get a room, let alone bring in light boards and posters without disturbing other guests.
As she lost herself in these thoughts, two professionally dressed individuals—a man and a woman—hurried out of the hotel entrance and approached Tang Song.
After a brief, hushed conversation, the security personnel opened the barriers, allowing Tang Song, Cheng Qiuqiu, and the others to pass through. They entered through the revolving doors and disappeared from sight.
Molly blinked in surprise. "Uh… Did they just walk right in like that?"
Liu Wenning clenched his teeth hard, his gaze filled with humiliation and anger.
Images of Tang Song embracing Gao Mengting and driving his Mercedes S-Class flashed through his mind, reigniting his burning resentment.
The cool, refreshing air washed over him, instantly dispelling the lingering heat from outside.
The grand entrance lobby, with its double-height ceiling exceeding seven meters, created an awe-inspiring impression.
Three dazzling chandeliers hung from the center of the ceiling, their radiance casting a luxurious and opulent glow across the space.
Cheng Qiuqiu and the others hadn’t even had time to fully take in the surroundings when the enthusiastic lobby manager led them to the lounge area.
Tang Song smiled gently. "I’m off to meet a friend now. Have fun, and if you need anything, just ask Manager Zhang."
"Alright, take care! Bye-bye~"
"Thank you!"
"Thank you, Tang Song!"
Cheng Qiuqiu and the others waved enthusiastically, their faces brimming with excitement and nervousness.
Once Tang Song disappeared around the corner, the group immediately huddled together, chatting excitedly, snapping photos, and posting on social media.
Entering the elevator, Tang Song opened the system interface to check the status of Heartthrob Aura (LV4).
Current Charge: 10%.
Releasing kindness and joy and receiving the same in return—his progress was faster than expected.
He navigated to the Outfit Center, selected the Summer Whisper portrait card, and activated it.
A wave of cool, crisp energy washed over him, leaving his mind clearer and his body more at ease.
Physique +2, Insight +1. Get!
His demeanor became fresher, more composed, and assured, with the unease in his heart easing significantly.
With a soft "ding," the elevator stopped at the 30th floor.
The silver metallic doors slid open, revealing a figure directly opposite him.
She wore a white silk blouse with impeccable tailoring. The slightly open neckline exuded an understated sensuality.
Her long legs were clad in black pencil trousers, and she stood confidently in brown high heels.
A few stray strands of hair framed her face, complementing her refined and professional makeup. Her deep, piercing eyes radiated sharp intelligence, while her bold red lips added an aura of undeniable authority.
Her porcelain complexion heightened the commanding presence she exuded.
As soon as Tang Song saw her, a name naturally surfaced in his mind.
Mo Xiangwan!
His steps quickened, echoing on the marble floor as he strode confidently out of the elevator.
The opulent hotel environment around him seemed to blur and distort, the bustling noise fading to a distant hum.
The solid ground beneath his feet felt surreal, as if he were walking on streams of shimmering light and digital stars. Each step seemed to take him further into a mystical nebula.
Reality and illusion converged, with light and shadow intertwining in a dreamlike spectacle.
She stood at the center of his vision, gradually aligning with the in-game artwork etched into his memory.
A peculiar harmony echoed faintly in his mind, fragments of her story from the game flashing before his eyes.
He had poured countless hours into this game, deeply familiar with every character’s narrative and growth arc.
Meeting one of them in real life now brought a profound and indescribable sense of wonder.
Drawing a deep breath to steady himself, Tang Song opened his arms, a radiant smile lighting up his face.
"Long time no see, Mo Xiangwan."
Mo Xiangwan’s sharp yet poised expression faltered momentarily, her eyes betraying a flicker of surprise at Tang Song’s warm demeanor.
"Long time no see, President Tang," she replied with a faint smile before stepping forward to embrace him—a gesture even Su Yu hadn’t experienced.
The surrounding staff quickly lowered their gazes, busying themselves to avoid intruding.
Feeling the warmth and reality of Mo Xiangwan’s presence, the surreal, chaotic sensation dissipated instantly.
Tang Song naturally released her, his face calm and composed, exuding a casual confidence.
As he looked at Mo Xiangwan again, all feelings of unfamiliarity vanished, replaced by a sense of long-standing camaraderie.
Watching this relaxed and assured version of Tang Song, Mo Xiangwan bit her lip slightly.
She couldn’t resist asking softly, "President Tang, will you be attending the concert in person this time?"
Tang Song met her bright, expressive eyes and nodded with a smile. "Of course. Not only that, but I’ll be on stage performing with her. I came to see you today to discuss just that. Let’s find a quiet spot to talk."
Mo Xiangwan’s brown pupils widened in shock as she stared at him, utterly incredulous.
