Han Yutong and Su Lin were too striking in appearance. Tall and long-legged, they attracted attention wherever they went. Despite both wearing masks, they couldn't avoid being noticed.
Su Lin sensed the stir around him and had to pull his hat brim lower.
Han Yutong glanced at his action and immediately became alert. "Or, maybe we shouldn't go?"
"It's fine," Su Lin had finally gotten the idea to go, and didn't want to give up halfway. "I heard the vegetarian food here is quite good. I want to try it."
Han Yutong looked around and deliberately put some distance between them. "Hmm... then, why don't you go first, and we can meet up ahead later?"
Being together made them too conspicuous. If they were photographed, it wouldn't be good.
She didn't care, but she was afraid of causing him trouble.
Seeing her cautious demeanor, Su Lin couldn't help but feel touched.
The female celebrities he had interacted with before either deliberately approached him to create scandals for hype or tried every means to latch onto his popularity to increase their exposure. Han Yutong was different from them. She always maintained an appropriate distance, polite yet distant, a rare pure-hearted girl in the industry.
It was hard not to like someone like her.
He felt the same.
Being with her, he didn't need to carry any burden. It was just like being with his family.
Walking silently for a stretch, Su Lin suddenly stopped. "Afraid of being photographed?"
Han Yutong softly hummed in affirmation.
"So afraid of being rumored to be with me?" Su Lin chuckled.
Han Yutong's face flushed, and she said, "I don't want to cause trouble for my idol."
"Idol?" Su Lin was a little surprised.
"I'm your fan," Han Yutong said, trying to adjust her breathing and feigning calmness.
Strangely, the same statement from others would make Su Lin feel disgusted, but coming from Han Yutong, it suddenly sounded pleasant.
"When did it start?" Su Lin asked curiously.
"Probably in my first year of university," Han Yutong recalled. "That talent show was hugely popular. All the girls in my dorm used to watch it..."
She wasn't lying.
The show Su Lin debuted on was indeed top-tier, unsurpassed by similar programs to this day, a legendary existence. Han Yutong didn't pay much attention to entertainment news, but she was still drawn in by the overwhelming promotional push and then captivated by Su Lin in the videos. From a fleeting glance at first to constant attention, she collected every album of his. She even kept magazines with his posters.
In her small rental room, half of a cabinet was filled with things related to him.
Han Yutong became immersed in the day-to-day dream of "chasing stars," which then sparked her desire to enter the industry. To get closer to her idol, she defied her family's objections, abandoned her beloved dance major, and switched to acting.
To catch up to his pace, Han Yutong used almost all her luck and courage.
Su Lin looked at her involuntarily reddening earlobes, and the peculiar feeling in his heart grew stronger. His emotions seemed easily influenced by her, pulled along by her every move.
"Cough, cough..." Su Lin uncomfortably shifted his gaze. "After knowing each other for so long, why haven't you asked me for an autograph?"
"I have one," Han Yutong replied. "I got a signed photo from Xiao Su Zong."
"Is the one my sister gave me the same as a personal autograph?" Su Lin pursed his lips with slight dissatisfaction. He couldn't quite pinpoint what he was unhappy about, just that he felt she lacked sincerity.
If she liked him, why didn't she ask him for it directly?
Han Yutong sheepishly rubbed her fingers. "I... I just never had a suitable opportunity."
"I have time now," Su Lin seized the opportunity.
Han Yutong opened her mouth, surprised by his reaction. She patted her pocket; besides her phone and keys, she had nothing else. How was he supposed to sign? And on what?
"No, no pen or paper," she said, the atmosphere becoming inexplicably awkward.
At the same time, Han Yutong suddenly felt Su Lin was less distant. What she hadn't expected was that Su Lin could be so childish in private.
Even a little chuunibyo.
Su Lin paused. "Okay, maybe another day."
With that, he turned and continued walking towards the temple.
Twenty minutes later, the two finally arrived at the temple entrance. Although it wasn't peak tourist season, quite a few people were visiting. To avoid being recognized, they didn't enter through the main gate. Instead, Han Yutong led the way,繞 around to a side entrance and slipped in stealthily. There was a small path there that only locals knew.
Han Yutong, having lived in the vicinity since childhood, was very familiar with it.
Although people occasionally passed by, it was much safer compared to the other paths, which were elaborately maintained.
Han Yutong seized the chance to take off her mask for some air.
Honestly, wearing a mask all the time was uncomfortable, and her rhinitis was acting up.
Su Lin also took off his mask and slowly browsed his phone for messages.
His company must be anxious with him running off alone.
As expected, as soon as he opened his phone, countless messages flooded in, all asking where he was. He replied to a few important ones, letting them know he was safe.
"When will you have another concert? I missed the last one because I was filming on set and couldn't make it," Han Yutong said, trying to break the somewhat somber atmosphere by finding a topic.
Su Lin glanced at her with a knowing look. "You want to hear me sing?"
Han Yutong's mind exploded, as if something had detonated, and her face rapidly flushed.
His voice was unique, the kind that made your ears pregnant.
As his fan, how could Han Yutong not know this? Listening to his concerts with headphones before made her blood boil with excitement, following the rise and fall of his voice. Now, seeing him in person, and so close, magnified that emotion a thousandfold, the impact was immense.
Han Yutong felt she could barely breathe.
Before suffocating, Han Yutong quickly turned away.
This action amused Su Lin. "Do you want to or not?"
Han Yutong took several deep breaths, afraid her racing heart would be heard. "There's no equipment here, how can I sing..."
"I can sing a cappella," Su Lin smiled and walked around in front of her. "You have to trust my ability!"
"I'm not doubting you..." Han Yutong explained, her face red. She glanced around, trying to keep her voice from trembling. "There are too many people here, it will cause a commotion!"
Su Lin's voice was too recognizable!
If any passersby were his fans, they wouldn't be able to leave.
She was thinking for his sake.
Su Lin's mind took a strange turn, leading to a different interpretation. "Then, how about we find a place with just the two of us later?"