The fans in that country were indeed famous for their loyalty, but they were equally notorious for their "barbarism" when welcoming their idols.
They didn't care about the rules, as long as they could touch, take photos, or even get the idol's personal belongings. One exclusive photo alone could be sold for a very high price, especially if it was a rare moment like Yu Chen just stepping off the plane.
Jiang Fan held his breath, his gaze quickly scanning the crowd.
"Yu Chen, don't push through. They could go crazy if we just come down like that."
Yu Chen exhaled, slightly tilting his head toward Jiang Fan. "Heh… I know. I could be swallowed alive."
The fans' voices grew louder, some already pressing against the barrier. The airport staff looked overwhelmed, and ironically, their personal bodyguards were still held back far in the lower area.
"So what now? The airport staff is taking forever…" Jiang Fan started to look frustrated, a small bead of sweat forming at his temple.
Yu Chen stayed silent for a moment, staring at the uncontrollable crowd. Behind his mask, he muttered softly, almost inaudibly.
"I don't know… just wait quietly. Doesn't this happen often…?"
In the midst of the escalating chaos, a loud voice suddenly came from behind.
"Hey! Are you all crazy?!"
The voice of a girl cut through the noise.
All heads immediately turned.
A woman in a simple T-shirt and loose cargo pants seemed to be trying to push through the crowd. Her face was sour, her hair slightly messy; it was clear she was very annoyed.
"Do you think this airport belongs to your ancestors, huh?! You like humans this much? Is your brain in your knees or what?! I can't get through, damn it!" she shouted, pushing roughly on the shoulders of people in front of her.
The atmosphere instantly became awkward. Fans who had been screaming Yu Chen's name were now stunned, some staring at the girl in disbelief—some angry, others laughing cynically.
And when the girl turned her face full of annoyance, her eyes met the figure on the airplane stairs. Her gaze was sharp, squinting with sarcasm toward Wei Yu Chen.
Wei Yu Chen froze. Behind his mask, his lips slightly parted, his eyes widened. The expression of shock was clear, as if he had never expected anyone to dare speak like that in the middle of his sea of fans.
Jiang Fan beside him even gawked, his eyes alternating between the girl and Yu Chen. "Crazy… she actually… said that… to the fans…" he murmured quietly, almost in disbelief.
For the first time, Yu Chen could not hide his surprise. He just stood stiffly, quietly staring at the reckless girl who suddenly appeared in the chaos.
The girl stared sharply at Wei Yu Chen, biting.
"You're an artist too? Acting all high and mighty, not decisive. If you want to get out safely, follow me."
Strangely, without protest, Wei Yu Chen obeyed. His steps were slow, stiff but compliant, as if something inside him chose to remain silent and follow—either because of exhaustion or trust in the girl's instincts.
The girl quickly looked around, her eyes scanning left and right, her brain working fast. Her gaze stopped at a fire extinguisher (APAR) hanging on the airport wall. Without hesitation, she grabbed the APAR, broke its seal, then looked at the crowd. Her voice rose, loud:
"Step back now! Or I'll spray you!" The words were harsh, but there was a serious tone that made people stop. The fans, previously hysterical, froze—some chuckled and then realized the threat was not a joke. Fans readying their cameras changed their expressions: from hunting for exclusives to wary about safety.
Jiang Fan immediately stepped forward, tensing his muscles, wanting to stop the girl, but Yu Chen raised a small hand to signal Jiang Fan not to act. The girl turned back, pointing to the narrow path leading to the exit corridor:
"Come on, quick! Follow behind me if you still want to go home!" they moved.
Yu Chen walked behind, the girl slightly to the side, carrying the APAR like a very real toy weapon. Jiang Fan and the girl who had broken through the crowd formed a human shield around them, pushing away hands that tried to touch. The airport staff, previously flustered, now moved quickly to organize the line.
The crowd, which had been jostling, gradually stepped back—not out of respect, but out of fear of being sprayed by the APAR. Some fans grumbled, some exchanged disbelieving glances. Cameras recorded every step. Amid it all, whispers arose: "Who is she? So brave…" "Crazy, look at that—she's carrying a fire extinguisher!"
At the end of the corridor, the girl returned the APAR to another wall. Her breath was heavy, her hair slightly messy, her face flushed from adrenaline. She turned to Wei Yu Chen—their eyes met again.
This time, Yu Chen's expression was no longer just shock; there was something else, faint but thickening: curiosity.
"Why did you help me?" Yu Chen asked, his voice low.
The girl lightly elbowed his shoulder, sarcastic but not entirely cold.
"I'm human too. I don't like being pushed around. Besides, you're a person, not a ball."
Jiang Fan interjected, slightly protective. "We need to know your name—"
The girl shrugged, half laughing. "Name? No need to know who I am and my name. Now, just walk! Don't make more noise."
Before anyone could ask further, the girl disappeared into the flow of passengers—fast, rough, and confident.
Wei Yu Chen stood still for several seconds, staring at the place where the girl had vanished. Around him, airport life returned to its normal rhythm: journalists busy writing, fans chatting, and staff checking the lanes. But in Yu Chen's chest, there was a subtle tremor he did not understand—a sudden curiosity that lodged itself.
Jiang Fan gently pulled him toward the car. "We need to leave before anyone starts trying to find out who she is," he said.
Yu Chen nodded, but his eyes glanced back once more—searching for the figure in the T-shirt and cargo pants who had become a small storm in the airplane corridor earlier.
Once the car door closed tightly, the airport noise suddenly dimmed. Wei Yu Chen leaned back in his seat, taking a deep breath, then removed his mask from his face.
"Crazy… who was that girl just now?" Jiang Fan still couldn't stop talking about it, his eyes shining with wonder.
Wei Yu Chen just chuckled softly, his laugh low and heavy. His hand rose, long fingers touching his chin, then unconsciously he twisted the thin ring on his middle finger—a habit when his thoughts were shaken. His disbelief was clear, but behind it, there was a slight sense of admiration.
"Seriously… she just appeared, scolding everyone, carrying a fire extinguisher too…" Wei Yu Chen shook his head gently, a faint smile appearing at the corner of his lips. "I even obeyed. Crazy, right?"
Jiang Fan patted his thigh, laughing loudly. "Hahaha! But honestly, if it weren't for her, we might still be stuck there. You could have really been swallowed alive by those barbaric fans."
Wei Yu Chen exhaled, staring out the car window. The airport lights ran backward behind the glass, but his thoughts remained on the girl in the T-shirt.
"She… really made me curious," he murmured softly.
Jiang Fan glanced quickly, grinning. "Careful, bro. You're acting like a guy who just fell in love."
Yu Chen glanced back, his face expressionless, but a faint smile lingered. "I don't know… but there's something about her. Something different."
The car sped away from the airport, yet in Yu Chen's heart, the footsteps of that cheeky girl with the APAR still echoed.