"You're back! Finally willing to come back! You're going to miss the bus home at this rate!" Lu Yuen exclaimed, her eyes immediately catching the dazzling smile on the young girl's face, which made her feel that she was already lost in joy.
"Quick, come tell us how your goddess captivated everyone!" Lum Ming said, pulling open a spot beside him and waving at Tongtong.
Tongtong seemed to have her thoughts perfectly guessed. Eager to share her experiences, she hurriedly grabbed her bag and ran over to Lum Ming's side. "Yes, yes, yes! I was just about to tell you all about this morning's excitement!"
She set down her bag and looked around, realizing that the whole group was there, including the ever-reliable Qiao. It was perfect; she wouldn't have to find time to share with each person individually.
Hmm~ She felt that her brothers would be more than willing to listen to her stories.
"I have to tell you about the scene this morning. You can't even imagine it! I got there pretty early, but by the time I arrived, the airport was already packed with people holding our goddess's exclusive light sticks and huge banners. You should have seen it; it was such a spectacular sight! Our goddess didn't even take the VIP route; she showed up on time in a sky-blue casual outfit, radiating youthful charm," she said, her hands unconsciously mimicking a lovestruck fan.
"Early in the morning, and there she was, stunning us all! You guys really don't know how lucky you are; you've never seen her in person. She's even more enchanting than on screen. Meeting her offline allows you to truly feel her aura—oh my goodness, I can't even describe it! My vocabulary is so limited; I regret not having more words when I need them!"
Seeing her in such a dreamy state made everyone both amused and bewildered. They thought she must have been enchanted by that goddess. "Tongtong, we never knew you were into idol culture! And we had no idea you had an idol besides us!" Lum Ming was the first to speak up.
"Oh, I'm not really a crazy fan anymore. I just occasionally watch the dramas she stars in and follow her online. I've never really chased after her offline events until now. It’s just a coincidence that we're in the same city and not too far apart—this opportunity is too good to miss! Waking up early just to see her? How could I not be excited?"
"You guys have no idea about those die-hard fans; they're incredible! They can track every single event she attends and show up for all of them. They even visit the filming locations of her dramas and buy out all the products she endorses—it's amazing! Compared to them, I'm just a tiny fan of hers. But it doesn't matter; being one of her fans is already a happiness and honor!"
As she spoke, her eyes sparkled with admiration and longing.
"How deeply hidden it is! You little girl actually have someone else you like. I always thought you were only obsessed with our gentle charm," Lum Ming lamented dramatically, his exaggerated display of heartbreak no longer surprising to everyone around.
"Next time, next time, Lum Ming, you have to come with me to chase after my sister offline. You'll definitely be captivated by her. Then you'll truly understand that what I said isn't an exaggeration at all; it's all real," Tongtong urged, her voice filled with urgency as she worried they might think she was just a fan girl. She genuinely wanted to share her idol with those around her.
"Do we really have to wait for next time? Aren't we about to collaborate soon?" Da Zuo, who had been scrolling through his phone, suddenly chimed in.
"Right! We're going to Lin City this time to record the OST for the drama starring your goddess, collaborating with her," Xu Yan quickly pointed out, noticing the spark in Tongtong's eyes as if fireworks had ignited in her dark pupils.
So this is what it looks like when surprise is clearly expressed through one's eyes.
"Really? Lo Ye, is what Xu Yan said true?" she asked eagerly, turning to Lo Ye with hopeful eyes. When she didn't receive an immediate answer, she nervously swallowed.
Caught off guard by the question, Lo Ye took a moment to process what they were talking about. He looked up and saw the little girl staring at him with wide eyes, and after a brief pause, he remembered the notification he had received a few days ago. He nodded slowly.
"Oh yeah, it's one of the recent opportunities with my idol," he replied, unable to hide his excitement any longer; his hands and feet fidgeted uncontrollably.
"Hey, hey, hey! There's even better news! Tongtong probably hasn't eaten yet, right? Lum Ming specially made you spicy hot pot—extra spicy!"
Xu Yan watched Lum Ming dash off toward the dining area and couldn't help but feel speechless. "I can't believe him; even at a time like this, he's still thinking about his hot pot!"
Lum Ming spoke, but his eyes were fixed on Lo Ye, who sat quietly in his seat, absorbed in his phone. Lum Ming was filled with curiosity about why their leader had brought back this seemingly out-of-place spicy hot pot. Surely, something interesting had happened.
Lo Ye, who had been engrossed in the notifications on his phone, sensed the gaze from across the table. He raised an eyebrow and met Lum Ming's inquisitive smile.
"Spicy hot pot? How could there be spicy hot pot here?" Tongtong asked, puzzled, until he noticed the plastic takeout container on the plate Lum Ming had brought over.
"Tongtong, give it a try. It’s still edible; I bought it last night."
"Last night?" Tongtong picked up his chopsticks and took a bite. "Mmm, it’s still good! Where did you buy this? It tastes great!" He completely forgot about his earlier curiosity regarding its origin.
"Just a random street vendor. If you like it, I have more."
"Mmm, this street vendor's skills are really authentic."
"Really? If there's more, can you get me a bowl too?" Lu Yuen said, eyeing Tongtong's dish hungrily. The bright red color glistening with oil was practically a dream come true for someone with such a strong palate.
At one o'clock in the afternoon, they set off for the airport as scheduled, with someone from the dealership driving the car away.
Whether it was due to Tongtong's enthusiasm or some other reason, everyone seemed to have a different level of anticipation for this work trip.
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