The waiting hall.
Chen Xiaoyan found a resting area with no one around and sat down on a chair.
Lao Dong and Lao Me stood on either side like a pair of door gods, their sharp eyes scanning every passerby.
The hijacking incident had pushed their vigilance to the highest level. Even if an ant walked by, it would get stared down.
Chen Xiaoyan was still dressed the same as yesterday.
Her long hair fell over her shoulders. She sat cross-legged, playing on her phone. Her pale, slender legs drew the attention of countless passersby.
She wore a cheap-looking black short-sleeved shirt, with a golden heart pattern on the chest.
But that golden heart was propped up high by the early-stage peaks, making people couldn’t help but exclaim at how magnificent that heart was.
Chen Xiaoyan keenly felt the constant stares from strangers.
She frowned slightly.
Although she was used to this kind of attention, being stared at by a group of men made her break out in goosebumps.
Not to mention there were even a few leering at her.
“Buy me a mask,” Chen Xiaoyan said displeasedly to Lao Dong and Lao Me.
Lao Dong gave Lao Me a look. The latter sighed helplessly, wondering why it was always him.
As Lao Me left, Lao Dong immediately sat down in the chair next to her.
Chen Xiaoyan glanced at him indifferently, didn’t pay much attention, and continued scrolling through her phone, occasionally revealing a faint smile.
“Miss Chen.”
“Hmm?” Chen Xiaoyan turned around, looking at him in confusion.
But at that moment, Lao Dong looked away and remained silent.
“Brother Dong, is something wrong?” She asked when he didn’t respond.
“Nothing.”
Chen Xiaoyan was speechless. She turned back to her phone. Seeing something amusing, she let out a soft laugh.
Lao Dong’s eyes were complex as he stared into the distance. He didn’t know what had just come over him, calling her name involuntarily.
Was he starting to feel something for his protectee?
Lao Dong thought it over and shook his head.
No. Years of killing had turned his heart as cold as snow.
Feelings?
They weren’t for him anymore.
Then why this sudden abnormal behavior?
It all stemmed from an inexplicable flutter in his heart.
A familiar aura that made him want to get close to her, to stay by her side. It relaxed his mind and body, giving him the sense of security of lying in a mother’s arms.
Strange. Too strange.
In all his years traveling the land, he had never met such a strange girl.
On the other side, Chen Xiaoyan was chatting with Liu Yue.
Liu Yue: What’s wrong with you? You typed it wrong.
Chen Xiaoyan: Nothing, the bodyguard distracted me. Anyway, about two hours until we arrive in Kyoto. We’re about to board.
Liu Yue: Mm, I’ll wait for you.
Chen Xiaoyan: Okay, thank you, Yueyue. I know you worked hard for me today.
Chen Xiaoyan had learned from Lao Me that she owed most of her rescue to Liu Yue.
Liu Yue: Are you being polite to me too? So mad (tsundere).
Chen Xiaoyan: Fine, my bad.
Liu Yue: At least you know you’re wrong. But people who do wrong must be punished. Are you ready to accept your punishment?
Chen Xiaoyan: What punishment?
Hearing the word “punishment,” Chen Xiaoyan’s mind immediately went to being spanked. Realizing that, her face blushed.
‘Stop that. I’m not a masochist freak.’
Liu Yue: We’ll talk when you get here.
Chen Xiaoyan: Oh, right, Yueyue, who is Zhao Yuheng? Why did he help me?
Liu Yue: Him? The second young master of the Zhao family in Kyoto.
Chen Xiaoyan was shocked: What? The Zhao family in Kyoto?
Liu Yue: Yeah.
Chen Xiaoyan: But I don’t know him. Why would he…?
Liu Yue: He’s a diehard fan of Shen Qingqing. I almost forgot to tell you. Maybe when you get here, we’ll have to have a meal with him.
Shen Qingqing?
Chen Xiaoyan was stunned.
Was Zhao Yuheng also a Xianxia player?
Otherwise, how could he be obsessed with a character from the game?
Chen Xiaoyan: Is he a Xianxia player?
Liu Yue: No. Probably just got interested in Shen Qingqing through some online stories or novels. And he’s willing to help because you’re Shen Qingqing’s only disciple. He wants to get some news about her from you.
Hearing this, Chen Xiaoyan relaxed.
If that was all, it was worth it. After all, Zhao Yuheng was the second young master of the Zhao family, a pretty powerful ally.
Chen Xiaoyan: Got it. Yueyue, please thank your dad for me.
Liu Yue: No. If you want to thank him, do it yourself. That’s more sincere, isn’t it?
Chen Xiaoyan: I understand.
Liu Yue: It’s okay, Xiaoyan. Whatever you did when you met Mu Qingxue’s parents, do the same when you meet mine.
Liu Yue: But my mom is really into ancient styles. I suggest you come in hanfu. I’m telling you, once you make Mom happy, everything will be fine.
Chen Xiaoyan: Got it.
Liu Yue: I’ll pick you up when you arrive.
“Hanfu?” Ending her chat with Liu Yue, Chen Xiaoyan propped her chin on her hand and Baidu’d some hanfu styles.
Time passed. Half an hour later.
After half an hour of browsing Baidu, Chen Xiaoyan put on the mask Lao Me had bought her, stood up, and headed toward the boarding gate.
With the mask on, she could feel the attention from strangers dropping rapidly. But her approachable aura and perfect figure still drew eyes. Still, it was much better than before.
—
Kyoto, as the capital of Huaguo, was a key city for culture and commerce.
What was the first thing outsiders thought of when they heard “Kyoto”?
Red Square?
Rich?
Siheyuan?
Veterans everywhere?
Pick one… Oh no, it’s a multiple-choice question.
The moment they got off the plane, the sea of people in the reception area stunned everyone.
Looking out, there were at least a thousand people, packing the reception area so tightly that not even a breeze could get through.
These people, both male and female, were mostly young people between their teens and twenties. They held up all kinds of glow signs.
Written on them were things like “Jinjin, love you forever,” “Love you till the end,” and so on.
Seeing this, Chen Xiaoyan instantly understood. She had run into a celebrity fan meet-and-greet at the airport.
She thought Liu Yue had arranged this as a welcome.
Under the protection of Lao Dong and Lao Me, she slowly stepped off the plane. But the moment she reached the reception area, she was surrounded by those fervent fans.
Chen Xiaoyan was instantly dumbfounded.
Lao Dong and Lao Me’s faces changed, and they immediately stepped in front of her.
“Jinjin, I love you! Give me an autograph!”
“Jinjin, when is your new movie coming out? We can’t wait to see it!”
Listening to all their shouts, Chen Xiaoyan realized these fans had mistaken her for their idol.
The corner of her mouth twitched.
‘You mistake your own idol for someone else? Are you guys fake fans or what?’
Actually, she couldn’t blame them.
Chen Xiaoyan’s aura was naturally good, and her figure was very similar to that of their idol. With the mask covering her face, they instinctively assumed she was the celebrity Wu Xiaojin. Plus, the presence of Lao Dong and Lao Me only reinforced their suspicion.