The three of them had met in an online Fan-circle group.
They often posted celebrity news and clips, and because they all adored the same idol they would arrange to chase him together in whichever city he appeared.
Whenever their beloved star had an airport walk or an event, nothing—wind, rain or snow—could stop them from rushing to a strange city to cheer him on.
This fanatical life style meant that, despite years of work, they had saved absolutely nothing.
After all, every last yuan had been spent on their idol.
Chasing him left them deeper in the red each month.
They sometimes paid thousands for transport and hundreds for a hotel room just to glimpse him for a few seconds.
They even camped outside venues all night just to see his face.
Though each meeting lasted only minutes—or seconds—in their hearts…
…if the idol simply gave them an off-hand smile or a casual wave, that tiny crumb could sustain their faith for months.
Two of the three had already lost their jobs because of this obsession.
The trip here had been paid for with a fresh loan.
Hearing Jiang Cheng's words now, all three felt the faith they had clung to begin to crumble.
At its core, a woman's star-chasing is simply projecting every dream she has about a partner onto someone else.
These fans keep fantasising that one day they'll somehow cross paths with him.
They pour every beautiful hope they have about love onto a complete stranger.
But Jiang Cheng's two rhetorical questions had forced them to think.
What he said wasn't even harsh—compared with what they'd just shouted at Yu Xiaoxiao it was nothing.
Yet those two simple questions struck straight at their hearts.
Especially under the gaze of so many eyes, shame washed over them.
When they blocked or berated Yu Xiaoxiao—or any other "hater"—they saw themselves as pure, devoted Warrior-Saints.
Whenever someone dared to question their "big brother," or if he so much as glanced their way…
…they would gang up and fight that person to the end.
But now, looking at the poised, beautiful Yu Xiaoxiao and then at their own dishevelled, road-weary selves…
…they suddenly felt their lives were utterly worthless.
Who would want them like this? Not even ordinary men—let alone those lofty idols with millions of fans.
They tried to hypnotise themselves as usual: "Our big brother doesn't like beauties; he likes kind hearts."
Yet under the café's dozen mocking eyes they couldn't help lowering their heads.
Yu Xiaoxiao gave them a glance, her expression unchanged.
Since entering this world she'd seen countless rabid fans.
Some were inspired by their idols and became better people.
Others, like these three, were blind zealots who burned themselves out and grew worse.
Yu Xiaoxiao felt no sympathy for them.
Calmly she said, "Life is a series of choices. What kind of person you become, what life you lead, and whom you meet—all of it is in your own hands."
Jiang Cheng, like Yu Xiaoxiao, had zero interest in rescuing people who revelled in their own ruin.
He casually stroked her smooth cheek. "Beautiful lady, as your devoted beast of burden I completely agree. Who knew your depths ran so deep? Now I'm even more eager for tonight's… in-depth exchange."
Yu Xiaoxiao curled her lips at his rogueish manner and coquettishly said, "Patience. You still have to take me shopping and feed me. Home can wait a while."
Every man in the room watched, dumbstruck, as the gorgeous Yu Xiaoxiao hooked her arm through Jiang Cheng's and strolled out in intimate bliss.
None of them could figure out how Jiang Cheng had suddenly won her over.
Was it those sleazy lines?
The guys who'd hesitated to approach were now second-guessing the current flirting trends.
Had forward trash-talk become the new way to pick up girls?
And did beauties now prefer cocky, roguish men?
Watching Jiang Cheng's young, handsome face, some middle-aged patrons sank into self-reflection.
They even wondered whether their own cautious pick-up lines were now too quaint and outdated.
After Jiang Cheng and Yu Xiaoxiao left, the three girls wiped away tears of shame and fled together.
The café returned to its former calm.
A moment later, another group of pretty young girls walked in.
Once they were seated, several men—now inspired by Jiang Cheng—began to stir.
One of them, a man nearing thirty, stood up and smoothed his meticulously ironed shirt.
With confident steps he strolled toward a girl seated alone in the corner.
He stopped in front of her, cleared his throat, and adjusted his expression.
"Hi, beauty, I see you're sitting alone—so am I. Mind if we get to know each other?"
The girl looked up, saw a decent-looking man, and politely nodded. "Hello, sure."
The man's heart lifted with delight.
Trying to mimic Jiang Cheng's roguish air, he said, "I wonder if later I could take you shopping, treat you to dinner, and then go home to be your beast of burden?"
The girl frowned in confusion. "Beast of burden? Why?"
"Because I want you to ride me!"
He delivered the line with smug satisfaction and waited for her reaction.
It didn't go as planned. Her smile froze.
Seconds later she jumped up and flung her Cappuccino straight into his face.
"In broad daylight—how can there be scum like you? Pervert!"
…