The Salted Fish And Protagonist A Ended Up Together - Chapter 28.1

Gu Man’s gaze uncontrollably shifted back to Wen Mian’s face. She was looking up, the dimple on her right cheek overflowing with sweetness.

Gu Man felt her ears grow even hotter. She gave a low “Mhm” in response. “You’re welcome.”

Seeing Gu Man’s shy appearance, Wen Mian’s smile widened, and her good mood lasted for a long time.

After sitting in the airport lounge for a while, it was time for Wen Mian’s flight to depart. She waved to everyone. “I’m off, see you next time!”

Zhang Yunxi looked at her with a reluctant gaze. “See you next time! You better not forget me!”

Wen Mian let out a chuckle. “How could I! Don’t worry, besides, it’s only for two days.”

Zhang Yunxi didn’t care about that; she insisted Wen Mian make a promise. “Then promise me.”

Wen Mian nodded helplessly and raised her hand. “Alright, I promise I won’t forget you guys. Are you satisfied now, haha?”

Zhang Yunxi nodded. “That’s more like it!”

The others were easier to please, each saying their own “See you next time.”

After saying goodbye to everyone, Wen Mian’s gaze secretly landed on Gu Man, a hint of hesitation in her heart.

She gave a small, subtle wave of her hand. “Bye-bye?”

Gu Man took a step forward, approaching Wen Mian until she was only two steps away.

The airport was clearly noisy, yet Wen Mian felt as if she could hear her breathing.

Gu Man was a bit taller than her. She lowered her eyes slightly, her voice sounding like the clear chiming of windbells striking each other in the breeze. “See you on the 19th.”

She gave an exact date. She didn’t like the phrase “see you next time” without a specific time or place, “next time” felt like an indefinite future to her, like a hollow, paradoxical promise.

Even though she knew Wen Mian would definitely come back, she still didn’t like it.

Wen Mian was slightly stunned, then finally gave an “Mhm” as a response.

Shi Yuezhi clenched her hands, her eyes shining with excitement. She couldn’t wait to find a friend to talk to, and then her gaze met Zhang Yunxi’s.

In that instant, both saw the joy of “shipping” in each other’s eyes and quickly became allies.

The boarding announcement rang out, and Wen Mian walked off pulling her luggage.

After a nap on the plane, she arrived at her destination quickly.

As Wen Mian walked out with her luggage, she drew admiring glances the whole way. She wore a black outfit similar to that of an ancient swordswoman, with a chain tied around her waist and a black mask. She was alluring and captivating, looking like a character from a novel wearing a “bite restraint.”

Her exposed skin was as white as snow, exceptionally eye-catching.

Wen Mian took the attention in stride. She looked around and spotted Xu Qing waiting for her.

She went over to greet her. “Sister Xu.”

Xu Qing quickly put down her phone and reached out to take Wen Mian’s luggage. “You’re here. I see some of your fans outside, do you want to go see them?”

Wen Mian avoided her hand. “I’ll handle it myself.” Then she asked, “There are fans here?”

Her tone was filled with uncertainty.

Xu Qing understood. After being criticized for so long, it was hard to believe fans would suddenly show up to meet her at the airport. Although she didn’t know why Wen Mian had suddenly changed her personality and stopped chasing Gu Man, Xu Qing was happy to see it.

She nodded affirmatively. “There really are. So, do you want to go see them? It was quite a bit of trouble for them to come here.”

Wen Mian hesitated. She did want to see them, but…

She turned and asked, “If I go see them, will it cause trouble?”

Xu Qing waved her hand. “Don’t worry, if it would cause trouble, I definitely wouldn’t let you go.”

There was one thing she didn’t say, Wen Mian’s fan count wasn’t nearly enough to cause a scene but she didn’t want to hurt Wen Mian’s feelings.

Wen Mian breathed a sigh of relief, her eyes brightening. “That’s good! Where are they?”

Xu Qing smiled knowingly. Having managed several artists, she still felt happy witnessing the bond between fans and their idol.

She turned around. “Let’s go, I’ll take you.”

Wen Mian followed quickly, a belated mix of worry and sweetness flooding her heart.

As they walked, Xu Qing chatted with Wen Mian.

“By the way, Song Xue has already been placed under administrative detention. You guessed right, in her desperation, she did blow the whistle on her manager. That person is also under investigation now.”

A curve appeared in Wen Mian’s eyes, but her expression remained calm. “That’s good. Since they did something shameful, they can’t blame us for being heartless.”

Xu Qing nodded and glanced at Wen Mian from the side, a satisfied smile touching her lips. As long as she wasn’t soft-hearted after all, that was the only way to survive long-term in the entertainment industry.

In a corner of the airport, about a dozen young girls were huddled together, wearing backpacks and clutching their phones in anxious anticipation.

“Sisi, do you think Mian Mian will really pass through here?”

The girl named Sisi held her camera, her face full of anxiety and a hint of uncertainty. “She should…”

“Mian Mian definitely will.” Saying this, she patted her chest to comfort herself.

“Okay.” Another girl nodded, standing on her tiptoes to see further, hoping she could catch a glimpse of the person she liked.

Her hopes were not in vain. Wen Mian appeared in her line of sight. Even though she was wearing a mask, the girl recognized her instantly.

“Aaah! I… I see her! It’s Mian Mian!” The girl let out a scream, then immediately covered her mouth, afraid of disturbing other travelers.

The other fans who had been crouching down stood up all at once, whispering, “Where, where?”

They followed the girl’s gaze and indeed saw Wen Mian pulling her luggage.

With hearts fluttering like startled deer, the group quickly ran over to her, greeting her with nervous smiles. “Mian Mian…”

Wen Mian was almost startled. She took a breath, the corners of her eyes crinkling as she nodded gently. “Hello, Little Cottons.”

The girls tugged at their own clothes, their faces filled with smiles and excitement. “Hello, Mian Mian.”

Though they had thought of many things to say before coming, they were now speechless upon actually seeing Wen Mian, not knowing what to say.

Wen Mian generally understood their state of mind, so she started the conversation herself. “Where are you all from? Was it a long trip?”

“Not far! No distance is too far if we get to see Mian Mian!”

They chimed in with their replies.

Wen Mian nodded, pulled down her mask, and proactively asked, “Do you want to take a photo together?” As she spoke, she blinked her eyes in a way that was both cute and charming.

The group was stunned for a moment before hurriedly replying, “Yes! We do!”

Wen Mian first had Xu Qing help take a group photo, then she went to each of them one by one.

She leaned down slightly, bringing her face close to theirs as she took their phones. Instead of looking at the camera, she looked at the fans with a serious, doting gaze.

The fans’ hands were shaking with excitement, and the corners of their eyes turned red.

One by one, their happy faces were captured, forming a picture of pure joy.

Since she didn’t have much to do, Wen Mian wasn’t in a hurry to leave and stayed to chat with the fans.

Xu Qing ran over to a nearby milk tea shop and returned carrying several cups of milk tea.

Xu Qing: “Mian Mian specifically asked me to get these for you. Everyone, come grab one!”

Wen Mian quickly took the bag from Xu Qing’s left hand and held it up by her waist, saying with a smile, “There are hot ones and cold ones, see what you’d like to drink.”

The fans were stunned at first, and then the flush that had barely faded rushed back to their faces. They thanked her in a flurry of confusion. “Thank you… thank you, Mian Mian!”

Wen Mian shook her head quickly, tilting her head up proudly. “Alright, on such a happy day, my Little Cottons aren’t allowed to cry!”

The girls laughed through their tears, looking at each other before chiming in, “We know, Mian Mian! I want a cold one!”

“Then I’ll have one at room temperature!”

Watching the young fans lower their heads to cherish their milk tea, warmth swept through Wen Mian’s heart. Since leaving the orphanage, it had been a long time since she had felt such selfless affection.

After staying for a bit longer, Wen Mian finally said, “Little Cottons, I have to head back now. You should all go home too, otherwise it won’t be safe.”

The fans suddenly felt a sting in their noses. They nodded reluctantly and waved. “Then Mian Mian… see you next time.”

Wen Mian gave an “Mhm” and turned to walk away with Xu Qing, pulling her luggage.

One step, two steps…

On who knows which step, Wen Mian couldn’t help but turn back. They were still standing there, quietly watching her retreating figure.

Suddenly noticing Wen Mian turn around, they immediately stood on their tiptoes and waved.

A delayed feeling of reluctance surged into Wen Mian’s heart, making her nose sting with a sour ache. She also stood on her tiptoes, waved her hand, and said word by word, “See you next time! I’ll bring gifts for you!”

Wen Mian didn’t know if they heard her, but she could see them waving even more vigorously.

As soon as Wen Mian left, the fans immediately started jumping around and clapping, unable to contain their internal joy.

They all shared their photos with Wen Mian, instantly sparking envy among the other fans.