TITCFRIBN 19

 Chapter 19

An Cheng glanced up with a puzzled look. The makeup accentuated his already sharp features, giving him a more intense and somewhat confrontational appearance. With a hint of aloofness in his expression, his gaze made him seem as if he were looking at something beneath his notice.

The spectators around them collectively gasped. They had never seen a cosplayer so perfectly embody their character’s expression! The crowd was thoroughly impressed.

Someone immediately shouted, “I need to know everything about this cosplayer in three minutes!”

The term “CP” kept popping up in An Cheng’s ears, making him question whether he was cosplaying a romantic character. He had done some research before and knew this was an action-packed anime, not a romance.

It was indeed an action-packed series, filled with constant battles.

The character he was portraying was a cold and exceptional warrior, and An Cheng liked the role quite a bit.

In just a few minutes, An Cheng heard the word “handsome” more times than he had in his entire life.

In his mind, the little cat wagged its tail, “Cheng Ge, they’re going to be swooning over you.”

An Cheng almost lost his composure, “Stop it.”

On the other side, Bai Qing was being overwhelmed by fans, with people pushing closer and closer. When the crowd was small, everyone was respectful, but as more people gathered, they became more frantic, worried that their voices might not reach their favorite idols.

Screams and shouts filled the air, “Ah, so cute! Mama loves you!”

“Daddy loves you too!”

“Smile for me, let Mama take a picture.”

“Ugh, seeing you together with your partner makes me so happy I could faint!”

Bai Qing couldn’t help but cover his face with one hand, shaking his head.

Having Cheng Ge by his side was a lifesaver.

An Cheng didn’t hear the commotion because his own crowd was just as chaotic.

One fan leaned in, “Slap me! I’d be thrilled even if you hit me.”

An Cheng kept a cold expression, ignoring the absurd request.

Wang Qimeng, initially excited about the event, quickly transformed into an event manager when he saw the chaos.

“Everyone, please step back. Don’t crowd the two guests. Those who want to take photos, line up slowly.”

The fans, although excited, were polite and quieted down as someone came to manage the situation, forming an orderly queue.

Wang Qimeng addressed the next fan, “Come over, it’s your turn.”

The fan, dressed in a limited-edition T-shirt and badge, was clearly a dedicated follower. Wang Qimeng felt a kinship with him and became even more enthusiastic.

Seeing the fan still hesitating, Wang Qimeng encouraged him, “Hurry up, I’ll take a few extra photos for you.”

The fan finally moved forward, but then suddenly threw some items, including metal keychains, toward An Cheng and Bai Qing.

An Cheng’s expression changed, and he pulled Bai Qing back a few steps.

Bai Qing’s smile vanished instantly, and his expression darkened.

The lively atmosphere turned icy in an instant.

Wang Qimeng, stunned, quickly grabbed the fan, “What are you doing?”

The fan pulled out more items, intending to throw them, but Wang Qimeng stopped him.

“The promotional material said it would be Lili and Cheng Cheng, not these two. Why should we tolerate this misleading promotion?” the fan protested.

Others started to voice their discontent as well.

“Yeah, many of us came for them. Of course, we’re upset!”

There were also disputes, “Lili and Cheng Cheng? Many people don’t even know them. These two are doing a great job. What’s the problem?”

The characters were controversial, and few dared to cosplay them. Having someone do it was already quite impressive.

As the situation escalated, Wang Qimeng hurriedly explained, “I also liked the original guests, but they suddenly couldn’t make it. The organizer had to find replacements. Any issues should be directed to the organizer.”

Behind An Cheng, Bai Qing furrowed his brows.

The woman who initially contacted him had promised that the replacement would be announced on the official website, so why was there no notice?

An Cheng glanced around the venue and gestured for Wang Qimeng to come closer.

“Qimeng, go find the event staff. Don’t try to explain everything yourself.”

Wang Qimeng looked concerned, “What if they keep causing trouble while I’m gone?”

An Cheng was nonchalant, scanning the room again, “Just go. What could happen?”

It was unlikely they would get into physical confrontations, just a lot of verbal complaints.

Wang Qimeng left, and An Cheng faced the increasingly noisy environment. He took out his phone and asked, “Bai Qing, want to play a game?”

Bai Qing looked momentarily surprised, “Now?”

The situation had worsened compared to the beginning. The fans of Lili and Cheng Cheng were now more numerous, and the criticism was intensifying. Some even claimed that An Cheng and Bai Qing had stolen the original guests’ chance to appear.

“Or do you want to do something else?” An Cheng asked.

They were surrounded, but it was possible to make an exit, though it might forfeit the promised reward.

Bai Qing thought for a moment, “No.”

But An Cheng was only asking casually. To him, gaming was a sacred activity, and it wasn’t something he would consider in such a situation.

He opened the official media account of Happy Valley and scrolled through the posts, but there was no announcement about the change in guests.

Soon, Wang Qimeng returned, looking distressed, “Cheng Ge, Bai Ge, they said they’re too busy to come and handle it, so we have to deal with it ourselves.”

An Cheng applauded inwardly, admiring the strategy.

The organizer didn’t want to deal with the backlash directly, so they left An Cheng and Bai Qing to take the brunt of it, hoping to divert some of the criticism.

Bai Qing understood the situation and, with a hint of frustration, said, “Cheng Ge, let’s just forget the payment and leave.”

An Cheng shook his head.

"Leaving now, won't we be at a disadvantage?"

"007, what's the real reason for the change in cosplayers?"

Before he could hear the answer, the situation took a sudden turn.

A fan, furious that An Cheng and Bai Qing were ignoring them, charged forward to confront them directly, brandishing their support sign with high spirits.

It looked like a confrontation was imminent. Someone shouted a warning, "Watch out!"

The fan was just a few steps away from Bai Qing. An Cheng's instincts kicked in; he reflexively drew the sword from his cosplay outfit.

With the sword's tip against the fan's throat, An Cheng looked down at him and said coldly, "Stay back."

Bai Qing, turning around to see the fan being threatened by the sword, found the situation absurd. Could anyone really get physical over something like this?

At the same time, a murmur of excitement spread through the crowd.

"Did you get that on tape?"

"Yes, yes! That sword pose is incredible! Wasn't that practiced?"

"This is my ideal character—handsome and cool! I'm going to lose it."

"Pinch my cheeks, pinch my cheeks!"

An Cheng: ...

Why was he, in a modern world, making actions from a fantasy world of immortals?

Why was the cosplayer's sword actually functional? The quality was that good?

This is so cringe, he really wants to dig a hole and hide!

An Cheng coldly retracted the sword, turned around in silent mourning, and left a chilling silhouette.

Meanwhile, on a nearby high platform, a middle-aged man in a white shirt observed the scene with interest, stroking his chin.

"Xiao Mo."

A professionally dressed young woman approached, "Mr. Wu, do you have any instructions?"

If Bai Qing were present, he might recognize this as the woman who initially contacted him for the cosplay.

Mr. Wu stood up from his chair and looked at An Cheng and Bai Qing from a distance. "Those two kids are being surrounded and looking pitiful. Aren't you going to handle the situation?"

Xiao Mo hesitated, "Mr. Wu, that's because..."

Mr. Wu interrupted, "Don't worry about that. After handling the situation, bring them over here. You know what I mean."

Xiao Mo lowered her eyes, showing a hint of disdain where Mr. Wu couldn’t see.

"Understood."

An Cheng's impressive sword draw had caused a significant commotion among the fans.

Can’t they just calm down and let their favorite be in peace?

The tension between the two groups of fans was about to explode into a fight.

The organizers finally sent someone.

Xiao Mo approached with a microphone, "Everyone, please calm down. The mix-up at this event was indeed our fault. The original cosplayers, Lily and Cheng Cheng, had urgent matters and couldn’t make it. These two were specially invited by us."

Even with Xiao Mo's announcement, the scene remained chaotic, and it took a while before things started to quiet down.

Once the situation was under control, Xiao Mo apologized to An Cheng and Bai Qing, "I’m sorry for not handling this situation sooner. We are willing to offer an additional 2,000 as compensation."

Bai Qing was about to refuse.

He knew An Cheng disliked such situations, and what they had already endured was enough for him.

An Cheng, rescued from the awkward atmosphere, turned with indifference, his hand subtly tugging on the red string connected to Bai Qing's hand, halting Bai Qing's protest.

An Cheng nodded, "Okay, transfer the money now."

Xiao Mo sighed in resignation and transferred 12,000 to An Cheng.

Feeling the atmosphere had calmed enough, Xiao Mo said, "My boss is in the building next door. He saw what happened and wants to apologize in person. Can you come with me?"

Bai Qing frowned, "We go to him for the apology?"

Even the little blonde was ruffled, and An Cheng couldn't afford to show patience. He raised his eyebrows and looked at Xiao Mo.

Xiao Mo gave a wry smile, "I'm just an employee. I have no choice."

An Cheng's lips pressed into a thin line but, after two seconds, unusually agreed, "Lead the way."

Wang Qimeng was asked to wait outside while An Cheng and Bai Qing followed Xiao Mo.

Bai Qing looked puzzled, "Cheng-ge?"

An Cheng nodded, "What's up?"

Bai Qing didn't continue the question, "Nothing."

An Cheng didn’t refuse Xiao Mo’s request because he had just learned from 007 the real reason behind the change in cosplayers:

A certain leader tried to use coercion on the original cosplayers, but fortunately, it was thwarted, and they managed to escape at a crucial moment.

They had intended to expose this Mr. Wu’s despicable actions but were prevented from doing so for other reasons.

Given the chaos, they would no longer participate in the event.

Of course, An Cheng knew more. Before this, many people in the entertainment industry had faced similar coercion from him.

An Cheng truly found some people in this world exceptionally perverse.

He and Bai Qing were led to the top floor of the building, into a spacious office.

The floor-to-ceiling curtains were drawn, the summer sunlight slightly blocked by the glass and then cooled by the air conditioning, leaving only bright light.

An Cheng ignored the comfortable environment and fixed his gaze on the middle-aged man sitting on the black leather sofa.

With An Cheng’s intervention, the trajectory of the world was increasingly deviating from the novel's plot, and he couldn't precisely control what perversions would appear at each moment.

So, when such audacious scum appeared, it was better to handle it proactively.

As the door behind them closed, An Cheng felt a faint sense of impending danger, a subtle hint of crisis.

He glanced at Bai Qing, who was still frowning in anger.

He averted his gaze and adjusted his wrist.

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