These past few days, Lin Zhaoyang took time off work to accompany Su Yu's parents in Kyoto, exploring the city and discussing the wedding.
Ultimately, both sets of parents decided that once Su Yu participated in "Music King of the Era," the couple should proceed with the wedding first.
Su Yu had no objections. Lin Yanyu, initially a bit shy, soon accompanied Chen Rong to choose a wedding planner.
After spending a few days in Kyoto.
Su Yu was also preparing to accompany his parents back to Shuangqing City.
They had just arrived at the airport.
When they encountered a large group of fans waiting outside the airport, as well as many reporters.
Upon seeing Su Yu and his group arrive, they immediately swarmed them.
"There are so many people!" Su Yu exclaimed, making a move as if to escape.
Lin Zhaoyang: "Are you underestimating your popularity in the Chinese music scene?"
Given Su Yu's current popularity, his schedule wasn't concealed, and even if it were, paparazzi would likely be staking out the Lin family's manor.
"Alright..." Su Yu shook his head helplessly.
Although his popularity had been high before, many older fans had become more laid-back. Even with send-offs and pick-ups, there wouldn't be such a grand spectacle.
However, after the explosive success of "The Masked Singer," becoming the top figure in the Chinese music scene, he naturally attracted fans of many popular idols. These fans still maintained the habit of supporting their favorite artists.
"Ting Yu!!"
"Ahhh! Ting Yu is here!"
"It really is Ting Yu!"
The reporters and fans, upon spotting Su Yu, screamed and rushed forward.
It was like a horde of zombies charging in a zombie movie.
Fortunately, Lin Zhaoyang was prepared. He had contacted airport security, and they arrived at that moment to block the crowd.
"Ting Yu, I love you!"
"Ahhh! Husband!"
"Ting Yu! Mom loves you!"
Looking at the frenzied fans, Su Yu's forehead broke out in a sweat.
He rarely encountered such scenes, as his fans were quite different from many of the traffic-seeking ones.
Furthermore, hearing the girls call Su Yu "husband," Lin Yanyu's grip tightened, and a possessive glint appeared in her eyes. Su Yu felt that if he didn't remind her, with her martial arts training, his hand might be broken.
"Ahem... Everyone, please be quiet for a moment, let me say a few words."
Once Su Yu finished speaking, the excited fans gradually calmed down.
"Brother, speak, we're listening!"
"Ting Yu, Brother, we love you so much!"
"It's good that they can understand..."
Su Yu breathed a sigh of relief. He was worried about encountering extreme fans who wouldn't listen.
"Thank you all for your support. However, I hope you can join my fan group. The specific group number is on my official Weibo." Su Yu knew his own words wouldn't change much, so he could only direct these fans to the group. There, a group of older fans who enjoyed relaxing and healthy living would guide this new generation of fans.
When the fans heard Su Yu mention joining the group, they naturally wouldn't refuse, and they immediately patted their chests, promising to join.
"Also, I don't like you treating me as an idol. I prefer to interact with everyone as friends. I'm already very happy that you listen to my songs. I, Su Yu, have never hidden my schedule, so there's no need for you to specifically come for send-offs or pick-ups. If you meet me in life and ask for an autograph, I won't refuse."
Generally, by the time someone reached influencer status, they would start hiding their schedule. Yet, Su Yu, even now, hadn't done so. At most, he'd wear a mask when going out. If spotted by observant fans on the road, a simple greeting would suffice, and those fans wouldn't even need autographs.
He had always felt this was the most comfortable way to interact with fans, like friends.
"And to the reporter friends, although I'm very popular, is it useful for you to follow my daily life?"
Su Yu then looked at the group of reporters.
Indeed, given Su Yu's lifestyle – never going to nightclubs, no gossip, no useful daily life to report – even photos taken by fans were better than their own perspectives.
After Su Yu's few words, the previously noisy scene gradually quieted down.
The fans were somewhat bewildered. When they followed celebrities, send-offs, pick-ups, and voting were mandatory activities within the fan club. Not participating could lead to being kicked out of the group, mocked by true fans, or even not being recognized as a fan.
But Su Yu was telling them not to do these things?
In an era where even third-tier celebrities spent money on such pick-ups and send-offs to showcase their popularity, they suddenly didn't know what to do.
"Alright, the plane is about to take off. Thank you all again for your support. I hope you put more energy into your own lives!"
Su Yu glanced at the time, then, holding Lin Yanyu's hand, walked into the airport.
Seeing this, the fans quickly cleared a path.
Just then.
A little girl, about seven or eight years old, squeezed through a gap in the security line.
The security guards were about to stop her when Su Yu called out to halt them.
The little girl approached Su Yu and shyly said, "Ting Yu, Brother, my dad, my mom, we all like you. This is a Chinese knot that my handicraft teacher taught me to make. I want to give it to you."
Su Yu was slightly taken aback. He crouched down, took the Chinese knot, a small, simply woven item, a bit crooked and not very pretty.
However, Su Yu's heart suddenly warmed. "Why are you giving Brother this?"
"Dad said you're going abroad soon to compete with foreigners representing China. This has a very good meaning... Um... I've forgotten the specific meaning, but I just want to give this to you." The little girl gnawed on her finger, trying to recall for a long time, but couldn't remember what the teacher had said. She only remembered that after hearing the teacher, she wanted to give this to Su Yu.
"Okay, Brother will accept it." Su Yu put the Chinese knot on his phone, using it as a small phone charm, and dangled it for the little girl.
"Brother, go for it, win the championship! Chinese music is the best!"
"Brother promises you, pinky swear!"
"Pinky swear, ten years of no breaking promises. Whoever breaks it is a little puppy!"
After finishing the pinky swear with Su Yu.
The little girl then ran back to her parents.
Su Yu looked up at her parents.
Both of them smiled and gave him a thumbs-up gesture of encouragement.
"Go for it, let those foreigners see that Chinese music is the coolest!" the little girl's father said.
Su Yu nodded.
"Go for it!"
"Go for it!!"
The other fans also shouted in unison.
"Okay."
Su Yu nodded, then pulled Lin Yanyu towards the airport.
Although he appeared calm on the surface, his heart was stirred.
He agreed to "Music King of the Era" to fulfill his ideal from his past life, to let the whole world hear his voice.
But he suddenly realized that in the hearts of ordinary people, this competition carried a different meaning; it had become a matter of national honor.
Although the burden on his shoulders had become heavier, Su Yu felt a hint of excitement.
Before, with the song "Crossing Eras," it was misunderstood as a declaration of war against overseas countries due to its arrogant lyrics, and he was hailed as a national hero.
Those were all jokes, but this time, if he won the championship, it would truly feel that way.