Yi Fu's face was truly easy to recognize; Lu Mingming had memorized it after seeing a photo on the star network once.
The young man possessed a seemingly flirtatious and dissolute exterior. His nose bridge was high like a mountain, and his full lips, pressed together, exuded sexiness, like a masterpiece crafted by God's own hand.
His light-colored, finely checkered shirt hung loosely, its sleeves casually rolled up to reveal firm, strong, sun-kissed arms. Beneath his freshly cut short, light brown hair, a pair of amorous peach blossom eyes invited one to fall captive.
In the darkness of his gaze, those deep red eyes, imbued with a lively spirit, gleamed.
What drew the most attention was the sparkling jewel stud in Yi Fu's right ear, adding a touch of wicked charm to his unrestrained demeanor.
No wonder he was lauded as the "Rose of the Alliance."
Suddenly being entrusted with a task, Lu Mingming froze, not yet grasping the situation.
As her lips parted, about to speak, a wave of female commotion erupted from behind.
Yi Fu's expression changed abruptly. He stretched out his arm, pulling Lu Mingming into the dark alley with him, using the shadows of the corner to conceal their figures.
Just as Lu Mingming tried to struggle, a pair of large hands swiftly covered her mouth, silencing her first.
Immediately after, an apology echoed from above her head, each syllable seeming to lift slightly at its end.
"My apologies for the intrusion..."
Yi Fu's voice was kept very low, his tension easily detectable beneath the unnatural tone.
Lu Mingming, held captive, clenched her fists, suppressing the urge to strike.
If you feel it's an intrusion, then release your hand! This is making it hard for me to breathe!
In the quiet night, the scent of soap water from the young man's clothes wafted into Lu Mingming's nostrils, clean and refreshing.
Lu Mingming lowered her gaze, faintly seeing the bulging veins on Yi Fu's hand.
What a fine pair of hands, perfect for giving injections and drawing blood.
Lu Mingming gritted her teeth, her thoughts wandering wildly.
As they waited in silence, crowds passed outside the alley. The leading girl had cute stickers on her face, wore a glow stick on her wrist, and held a light brain, ready to record a video at any moment.
Lu Mingming overheard the girls' complaining chatter.
"It's all your fault; I told you he'd go out the left door."
"What's the use of saying that now? Yi Fu has disappeared somewhere, and I was hoping to touch his hand today."
"So annoying. What's wrong with wanting to get closer to him? He runs so fast."
...
So they had been chased by fans beyond the safety perimeter and were now hiding everywhere.
Lu Mingming suddenly felt a trace of pity for Yi Fu. Living with every action exposed to cameras, wasn't it a difficult life?
However, this thought vanished in an instant. This was not something someone like her, whose salary didn't even match the taxes of others, should worry about.
As the girls gradually moved further away, the hand on Lu Mingming's face finally loosened and slowly retreated.
Seizing the opportunity, she quickly stepped back, creating a meter of distance, her mind full of vigilance, avoiding another attack.
Up close, Lu Mingming realized the young man was a whole head taller than her.
She swallowed her surprise, thinking, what are these kids eating nowadays? All of them are nearly two meters tall. If I want to fight them, I can't even win.
Yi Fu dared not meet Lu Mingming's angry gaze. His eyes cast guiltily towards the ground beside them, finally pulling out an apologetic smile.
"I'm sorry, I got separated from my team. Could you please take me to a quiet place? I'll contact my agent to pick me up quickly."
Calling her "sister" to get closer.
Lu Mingming raised an eyebrow, deliberately threatening him fiercely. "Aren't you afraid I'll expose your whereabouts?"
"Sister... doesn't seem like that kind of person."
Yi Fu lowered his voice, giving his reason. Out of Lu Mingming's sight, his face felt hot and flushed.
Having watched someone's live streams for so long, how could she not know what kind of person they were?
Yi Fu unconsciously touched the jewel stud on his ear. The cool sensation calmed his heart somewhat.
He waited for Lu Mingming's answer with anticipation, unconsciously adopting a cooing tone often used with elders.
"Sister, please."
This plea struck Lu Mingming's heart like an arrow.
Lu Mingming had always responded to soft persuasion rather than hard pressure, and she hadn't expected someone to hit the mark so perfectly.
She slightly relaxed her furrowed brow, pursed her lips, and instructed, "Put on your mask and hat, and follow me back to the tent."
Yi Fu's eyebrows relaxed, and he followed behind Lu Mingming with immense delight, complying with her instructions.
Meanwhile, the cubs were obediently waiting in their spot for Lu Mingming's return. However, five minutes passed, then ten, and still no news.
The young couple couldn't resist teasing, "Did your parents abandon you? I can adopt you, haha."
No one replied to them.
In the tense silence, the two little ones each sent a sharp glare their way.
One was filled with a mocking smile, but upon closer inspection, it was clearly brimming with indifference, a faint, calm sweep as if no one else existed.
The other gaze was too sharp, as if radiating intimidating, cold mist, like a fierce tiger, instilling fear and making one dare not meet its eyes.
What kind of gazes were these for cubs?
Their parents were probably not good people either!
The young couple dusted off their bottoms, leaving while muttering curses, and fled in a hurry, as if afraid the two cubs would hold a grudge. Suddenly, only the little ones remained, sitting alone on the blanket, exposed to the cold wind.
"I'll go look around. What if she's lost?" Morian's worried voice came from the little white tiger's spiritual sea.
Its eyes flashed, and it agreed to the other's action.
Watching the little Samoyed wag its tail and depart, the little white tiger turned its head and gazed steadily at the brilliant lights, waiting silently.
The cold wind blew, ruffling the little one's fur, turning it into a fluffy dandelion.
Until a slender figure holding a tent appeared within its line of sight, its eyes suddenly lit up, and it excitedly rushed towards the person's pant legs with its chubby little legs.
The woman's body temperature was transmitted through her clothes in the night, carrying a familiar warm and soft scent. It calmed the unease welling up in the little one's heart, regaining a numbing comfort and sense of closeness.
It followed closely beside Lu Mingming, its little paws leaving plum blossom imprints on the damp ground. Only then did it notice that a man with a peculiar gait was following behind Lu Mingming.
What did this person intend to do?
The little white tiger immediately assumed an attacking posture, its entire body prostrating on the ground, its tail whipping impatiently.
A low growl of threat rumbled in its throat, like a death god resurrected from hell. Its sharp teeth protruded from its mouth, appearing ready to pounce at any moment and tear off a piece of flesh. Beneath the surface of calm, a raging fury was concealed within the growls of warning.
The next second, the little one felt its head being gently patted.
Its sharp teeth not yet retracted, it tilted its head up, fierce yet clumsy, looking at Lu Mingming, whose lips were curved in a smile.
The young man was not at all intimidated. Instead, he said without the slightest bit of reservation,
"Your cubs are so energetic, sister. If I were like it, I'd surely be welcomed by you."
Upon hearing the words, the little white tiger stood frozen, looking up and down at the man opposite him, whose smiling eyes could not be hidden by his all-black attire.
What was this guy hinting at with such veiled sarcasm?