24: Coach, I Want to Join Special Training (1/2)
Chapter 24: Coach, I Want to Join Special Training
Translator: TransNEditor: TransN
A week later, although it was already 1:00 a.m., the night was hardly peaceful near the Songcheng University Hotel.
Wearing the special exercise clothes and pinning the walkie-talkies, Lou Cheng and Cai Zongming stood guard by the door. Behind them was the hotel lobby that remained as brightly lit as ever, scattering silhouettes and shadows of the security department, student council and other club members who stood around.
”The school is stingy. They make us do overnight guard duty, and all they provide is a set of martial arts suit.” Cai Zongming tugged his martial arts suit and said grudgingly, ”If it weren't because my darling likes Liang Yifan and wants his autograph, I wouldn't even care enough to be here.”
Lou Cheng shot him a death glare. ”Talker, that was not what you said. You said we are sworn brothers for life, and 'Cheng, if you couldn't depend on me, who else could you depend on...' Though I am also doing this and trying so hard to get the autograph for Yan Zheke!”
”Ha-ha,” Cai Zongming laughed dryly. ”If I only wanted the autograph, I could just ask you to get it for me. Didn't Qin Mo say that if you could get him an autograph, he would pay for your meals for a week? If it was not because of our brotherhood, why would I bother to burn the night and accompany you? Where's that Liang Yifan? ”
”The flight was supposed to arrive at 12:05 a.m.. It has been more than 40 minutes already, right? Flights are seldom late.” Lou Cheng looked outside, only to see people everywhere, mainly young ones. There were people walking to and fro, people holding banners, people whispering, people holding cameras, people excited, and people just simply squatting around.
Cai Zongming looked around in awe and said, ”It's already the wee hours of the morning, and we still have a few hundred fans waiting here. The appeal of a First-Pin expert is incredible.”
”Plus, this is only what is within our sight.” Lou Cheng sniggered, ”Lucky for us, I managed to pull some strings with Geezer Shi. Else, we would not even get this near the door. See, the student council and security department are turning green with envy. ”
It was a great position to be close enough to the star!
”Cheng, yes, yes, I will say many good things about you!” Cai Zongming gave a thumbs-up. ”So, after we end our shift in the morning, are you still going for martial arts practice?”
Lou Cheng could hide his 5 a.m. mornings from everyone except his roommates. He had explained that the extra training was mere to strengthen his martial arts.
”I must go. Sleep comes after training. If I skip training because of small matters like this, I will lose discipline and start to slack,” Lou Cheng answered matter-of-factly. It was not a tiring chore to him. It was something he had to do anyway.
As they talked, the scene outside began to become restless. Three black sedan cars rolled into view.
As the cars approached, the crowd exploded into continuous screams, cheers and the people started to chant.
”Liang Yifan! Liang Yifan! Liang Yifan!”
Banners were lifted, partly hidden and partly visible under the lights of the hotel, matching with the fluorescent light. The characters ”Liang Yifan Songcheng Fan Club” on the banners were distinct and added a heated atmosphere to the chaotic spot.
”Hey, hey, hey. You, at the door, move! Make sure you block off the fans and the reporters,” the walkie-talkies hanging on Lou Cheng and Cai Zongming started to buzz loudly.
The pair was a little taken aback by the chaotic scene and only regained senses when they met each other's eyes. In quick strides, the pair joined the other security guards at the door of the car that just came to a stop. Together with the professional security officers, they locked their arms and formed a huge circle like a fence against the frenzied fans and sneaky reporters.
It was almost rhythmic, like strong tides crashing on the shore, wave after wave. The human fence almost could not hold its form. Fortunately, Cai Zongming's Amateur Fifth Pin's strength and Lou Cheng's internal coordination had strengthened enough to help the fence hold it together. Frustrated fans who had been unable to get any closer to their idol could not help but shoot angry glares at them.
”Who knows? Maybe we are on a live broadcast on the Xinghai Club or Liang Yifan fan forum, and have all the people there scolding us, calling us hooligans or unreasonable guards. What do you think?” Despite the squeeze, Cai Zongming could not restrain himself and found an opportunity to talk to Lou Cheng.
Lou Cheng held on to his position tensely, and replied distractedly, ”Perhaps they would even accuse us of hitting people and make use of the messy situation just to stir some trouble and create news.”
Just then, the car door opened. From the even more intense screams of the fans, Lou Cheng could tell that Liang Yifan has appeared. It was a pity that his back was facing Liang Yifan. He could not catch a glimpse of the star at all.
The rhythmic waves of the crowd grew stronger and faster. The screams of the fans became louder and shriller. Just as Lou Cheng felt that his arms could no longer hold off the crowd, a crisp and mellow voice said, ”Everyone, please calm down. I am honored to receive such generous love from all of you, but it is already late in the night. We can't be selfish and affect other people's resting time. Please be quiet. I am here with all of you.”
In such a rowdy environment, though his voice was just like any other, the crowd actually fell silent. People stopped pushing, and the area outside the hotel went back to being quiet like how it should be at such hours.
Lou Cheng and Cai Zongming turned toward the voice. On the stage, outside the hotel main entrance where all the lights were shining on, stood an average-built male who was approximately the same height as Lou Cheng. In a dark blue traditional martial arts suit, the figure's presence was strong, with an indescribable aura, an aura so strong yet calm, that no one cared that he had the most ordinary-looking facial features.
”That's the real Liang Yifan...” Cai Zongming mumbled softly.
Liang Yifan was 30 plus years old, the perfect age when men were most mature and yet still didn't look too old. While facing the fans' stares of admiration, he smiled gently and said, ”I am always thankful, and I can never repay the love that you all have given me. So, I decided that I will sign an autograph for every single one of you here, until there is no one without my signature. So, please be orderly and line up. We are learned people, so as long as we do not get too loud, I will continue signing till the last fan standing.”
His words moved the fans. Some girls were even weeping and exclaiming how good Liang Yifan was.
The walkie-talkies of Lou Cheng and team buzzed again, ”Keep them in order. Let them line up without noise.”
With the change of their duties, Lou Cheng and Cai Zongming started to get busy again. They guided the fans into a line and stopped those who were trying to cut the queue. One by one, the fans went up the stage to receive his autograph and the reporters at the side clicked away, capturing the moment.
As the night turned quiet, Cai Zongming started to observe the figure who was continuously signing autographs under the lights, and then turned to watch the fans and reporters who were in the queue. With an unexpected twist of his head toward Lou Cheng, Cai Zongming said in a low tone, ”Cheng...”
”What?” Lou Cheng responded, seemingly uninterested.