Chapter 73: Do Not Get Cocky, We Are Not Worthy Yet

After getting off the plane, Lu Yiting took the VVIP passage, while Bai Lu and Qiao Xianyi went through the regular first-class channel.

Qiao Xianyi chattered, “Bai Lu, send me all those snack brands! These are my idol’s favorites—I’ll eat them every day from now on!”

Bai Lu replied, “That’s not really necessary.”

In truth, her father’s favorite was Aunt Li’s home-cooked food. The housekeeper at Uncle Gu’s place was also a great cook, but her father had grown tired of it.

In this age of information, there are hardly any secrets left. The news that the renowned actor Lu himself had come to the lounge to recruit Bai Lu spread like wildfire before the plane had even landed.

Yu Fuqing had canceled his afternoon appointments and hurried to the airport to pick them up. There were plenty of fans at the airport—supporters of every celebrity, even Shen Xinluo had her own fans. Yet, not a single one was there for Lu Yiting.

Bai Lu couldn’t help but marvel at the mutual understanding between her father and Ting Xiangxue built over more than twenty years. They were no longer simply idol and fan, but something more akin to friends.

Ting Xiangxue never did airport pick-ups—her father didn’t like them. Nor did she ever clock in or boost his data online; she and her group only supported his works.

“Don’t come to the airport to greet me again,” Bai Lu stopped in her tracks, her expression serious. “You all need to live your own lives well, and I will repay everyone with quality work. Let’s strive to become people like Actor Lu and Ting Xiangxue, shall we?”

“Bai Xiaolu, don’t get ahead of yourself! We’re not worthy of being compared to Actor Lu and Ting Xiangxue yet!”

“Stay humble! Don’t give others a chance to twist your words!”

Bai Lu was speechless.

Her fans were so strict.

She blinked at her supporters. “Then let’s work hard together!”

“All right, that’s the right attitude. We support you.”

“Agreed.”

“Have your agency release a statement! True fans will respond enthusiastically!”

“Stay away from scumbags!”

“Focus on your career, no early romances allowed!”

Bai Lu felt as though she was being lectured by her elders rather than her fans.

Her fanbase, the Fawns, wasn’t large, but they were calm and composed. The situation was far less controlled with Zu Xinen, Lin Ye, and Di Jia’er, all from a boy group—countless fans came, even chasing them to the parking lot before being stopped. Still, many had staked out the parking area early and swarmed them as soon as they appeared.

Bai Lu glanced from a distance before Lai Jian pulled her into the car. “They have their own agencies, let’s go or we’ll be stuck here too.”

Qiao Xianyi and Shen Xinluo also got into the van. However, soon after leaving the airport, Qiao Xianyi got out—her wealthy friends had arrived in their sports cars to pick her up.

Yu Fuqing, in the front passenger seat, turned around. “For the next episode, our artist Li Huan will be taking over. Bai Lu, do you know why Huo Yansu only recorded one episode and then left?”

Bai Lu replied, “If you’re so curious, why not ask him yourself?”

Yu Fuqing lowered his voice. “Bai Lu, can we have a serious talk?”

She nodded. “Of course, I was just thinking the same.”

Her father had already given Yu Fuqing enough of a jolt. She didn’t need to add fuel to the fire—a single spark would suffice.

“Lai Jian, you’ll get off in the city with the others. Please take Shen Xinluo home.”

Since the Shen family’s location had been exposed, they’d been living in a five-star hotel—Shen Yanghong couldn’t afford that, so he’d rented an apartment two weeks prior.

Bai Lu looked down at her hands, her tone calm. “Shen Xinluo, everything between us is settled. For the next show, do your best. I won’t target you anymore. Whether you can turn things around is up to you.”

Shen Xinluo, stunned, asked, “You really mean it, Bai Lu? You’re willing to let it all go?”

She let out a soft laugh. “Yes. Between you and me, it’s settled.”

But with Shen Xinluo’s father, and with Wu Liping, there were still debts to be reckoned with.

“Bai Lu!” Shen Xinluo burst into tears. “Thank you, thank you so much.”

Yu Fuqing admonished, “Xinluo, Bai Lu is kind and tolerant. Don’t be foolish again—cherish this opportunity she’s given you!”

Knowing Bai Lu hated tears, Shen Xinluo covered her mouth, trying not to sob aloud.

“Get out, I have things to discuss with Yu Fuqing.” Bai Lu signaled Xiao Dan, the driver. “Stop the car.”

They had just left the airport expressway; it was deserted, and hailing a taxi would be difficult. Still, Shen Xinluo didn’t hesitate—she opened the door and got out.

Before Lai Jian left, he asked, “Bai Lu, I kept two scripts after reading several. But your opinion matters most—I’ll bring them all to your house tomorrow. Is that all right?”

She nodded. “That’s fine.”

Xiao Dan was about to get out, but Bai Lu stopped him. “No need, just focus on driving.”

Yu Fuqing turned around. “Bai Lu, you first.”

She looked at him calmly, a faint smile playing on her lips. “Fu Qing, I think you already know. Actor Lu personally tried to recruit me for his studio, but I refused. Do you know why?”

His expression darkened. “I know. Bai Lu is waiting for me to buy her the 888.”

He’d worn that ashen look ever since she’d laid eyes on him.

She replied cheerfully, “My fans could buy me the 888, and so could Actor Lu. But I don’t want those. I only want the 888 from you.”

Yu Fuqing was deeply moved.

She truly adored him.

It wasn’t that she needed the 888 from Yipinlan—it was just a symbol. It meant that only when he succeeded could he be worthy of her, and only then could he keep her.

His radiant girl would always attract wolves from the outside, now and in the future! Without enough status and power, even if she didn’t care for wealth now and was willing to stay with him, who could say she wouldn’t change as she grew older—

No, Bai Lu was so pure, she’d never care for such things. But the outside world was full of hungry wolves!

Take Lu Yiting, for example. If Lu Yiting really threatened him with Yuxing Entertainment…

Yu Fuqing clenched his fists.

Then he would have no choice—for the sake of protecting Yuxing Entertainment, he’d have to sacrifice Bai Lu. He’d have to deliver her into Lu Yiting’s hands himself.

Bai Lu saw the ruthlessness and desire in his eyes with perfect clarity.

She struck a match softly. “Fu Qing, Actor Lu is only giving me a year. I’m afraid he won’t have that much patience, do you understand?”

“I understand!” The thought of his girl having to bargain with Lu Yiting, that demon, just to buy him time, filled him with fury—at himself, and at Yu Xingsheng even more.