Chapter 227 Splashed with Coffee

In S City, the cold wind whipped the flags in the Cultural Square into loud flapping.

At 6 p.m., night had already fully fallen, yet the square was as bright as day, packed with a sea of people.

Countless support light signs, glow sticks, and phone screens merged into a shimmering ocean of stars in the darkness.

Today was the annual Golden Lion Awards ceremony—the highest honor in the television industry. Almost every celebrity in the entertainment world had come to attend.

The red carpet stretched from the main entrance of the cultural center all the way to the edge of the square, with media and fans crowding both sides.

“Lu Er! Lu Er! Lu Er!”

“Brother, look at me! You’re so handsome today!”

“Ahhh! Husband!”

The cheers rose wave after wave. Young girls wrapped in thick coats had cheeks reddened by the cold, but their eyes shone brightly.

They stood on tiptoe, craning their necks, desperately looking toward the red carpet entrance.

A long line of black nanny vans was parked outside the square, each carrying one of tonight’s stars.

Lu Er leaned back in his seat, eyes closed as the makeup artist did the final touch-ups.

He wore a black velvet Dior suit, perfectly tailored to accentuate his broad shoulders and slim waist.

Inside was a deep purple silk shirt, no tie.

One button at the collar was undone, revealing a glimpse of his pale collarbone.

Every strand of his hair had been carefully styled, the slightly curled ends falling casually over his forehead, glowing softly under the warm yellow car lights.

“All done.”

The makeup artist put away the powder puff and admired the result. “Brother Lu, you’re definitely trending for being handsome today.”

The most beautiful face in Asia—breathtakingly so.

Lu Er opened his eyes and looked out the window.

Through the tinted glass, he could see flickering lights and moving crowds.

The glowing “Lu Er” signs swayed in the cold wind like blue fireflies.

Bai Zhi sat in the front passenger seat, also looking outside, but with a frown.

“Brother Lu,” she turned around, concern in her voice, “there are too many fans in our section, and… last time, an anti-fan mixed into the crowd and threw eggs. If the bodyguards hadn’t reacted quickly, it would’ve hit your face. To be safe, let’s circle around to the back entrance.”

Lu Er watched the figures waiting in the cold wind, feeling a bit reluctant.

In January, nighttime temperatures in S City had already dropped to just a few degrees.

Yet these girls had been waiting here for a long time—some might have taken leave from work, others may have traveled from other cities.

After a moment of hesitation, he said, “Park the car a bit farther away. I’ll walk the rest of the way and greet the fans.”

Bai Zhi panicked. “But the event is about to start, what if something like last time happens again—”

“Bai Zhi,” Lu Er interrupted, turning to her, his gaze gentle yet firm, “it’s so cold, and they’ve been waiting out there for so long.”

“If I sneak in through the back door, those who came all this way will be disappointed. I can’t let down so many people who genuinely like me just because of one anti-fan.”

The stylist paused, glancing at him. “There’s only half an hour before you enter. If you get egged again, it’ll be hard to fix in time.”

He knew Lu Er’s personality—easygoing most of the time, but once he made up his mind, nothing could change it.

Bai Zhi sighed, looking at the three-hour-perfect styling.

Flawless base makeup, delicate eye makeup, even the hair meticulously done.

“But Brother Lu…” she tried again, “this event is important. Director Guan’s work has been nominated. You’re almost guaranteed to win, and there will be lots of cameras…”

Lu Er smiled, a hint of carefree openness in it.

“Then I’ll go bare-faced,” he said lightly. “Just remember to put some makeup wipes in my pocket.”

“If an anti-fan throws something again, I’ve even thought of the trending title—‘Lu Er debuts egg facial mask on the red carpet, leading a new beauty trend.’”

The stylist burst out laughing.

Bai Zhi, however, couldn’t.

Imagining her artist walking the red carpet covered in egg… she felt faint.

Other celebrities would be glamorous, while hers… she’d be scolded to death by fans.

“Don’t worry,” Lu Er reassured, “if anything happens, I’ll explain it properly to the fans.”

In the end, Bai Zhi gave in. “Stop at the intersection ahead, about 500 meters from the red carpet entrance.”

“Got it.”

The car slowly came to a stop.

Lu Er straightened his clothes, checked everything, then pushed open the door.

The cold wind rushed in instantly.

He wore no mask, no sunglasses, didn’t lower his head or hurry.

He simply appeared clean and open before the fans, lifting his head and waving with a smile.

“AHHHHHHHHH!!!!”

The screams nearly overturned the night sky.

The blue sea of light signs shook wildly as the girls shouted:

“Lu Er, look here!”

“Husband! Look at me!”

“You’re so handsome today!”

Lu Er walked slowly along the edge of the red carpet, unhurried, greeting fans as he went.

“Good evening, everyone. It’s so cold—thanks for waiting.”

“Not cold at all!!!”

A perfectly unified response.

Lu Er smiled, his eyes curving like crescents.

He turned cooperatively so fans from all directions could take photos, occasionally making finger hearts toward certain cameras.

His long fingers formed a heart shape at his chest, triggering another wave of screams.

“Are you cold?” he asked a girl wrapped in a thick scarf.

The girl was so excited she stuttered, “N-no! You’re so handsome!”

Lu Er smiled, taking a notebook handed over by a fan.

He signed it and even drew a small heart.

More fans surged forward.

“Brother, sign mine too!”

“Husband, you look amazing today!”

He responded patiently, accepting flowers and letters, reminding everyone to stay safe and not push.

The atmosphere was explosive.

Fans of other celebrities could only watch from afar as their idols’ cars drove straight inside without even a glimpse.

Meanwhile, Lu Er’s fans could interact with him up close—others were green with envy.

“Lu Er treats his fans so well!”

“Yeah, coming down to sign in this cold…”

“Handsome, talented, and so gentle—what kind of perfect idol is this?”

“I wish I were his fan…”

Most of his fans were young women, dressed stylishly in winter outfits, holding carefully made signs, calling out sweet nicknames.

“LuLu is so handsome today!”

“Brother, I love you!”

Their voices carried far in the cold air.

Some passing men stopped to watch.

Seeing Lu Er surrounded by pretty girls, they were briefly impressed—then sneered.

“Tch, a man prettier than a girl.”

A man in a black down jacket scoffed. “Born to be played by men. Don’t know what these women see in him.”

His voice wasn’t loud, but it cut sharply through the excitement.

A ponytailed fan nearby turned angrily. “What did you say?”

“I said, a pretty boy who relies on his face to climb up, just fooling ignorant girls into spending money on him.”

The man lectured from a moral high ground. “Why not spend that money on your parents instead?”

“Shut your filthy mouth!” the girl snapped, face red. “He earned his awards with his ability! Do you even know him?”

“And it’s my money—I’ll spend it how I like. Who are you to judge?”

She glanced at him. “Someone like you isn’t even worth a cent.”

The man sneered. “Ability? Slept his way there, more like. Didn’t he trend for being with a man—”

“Shut up!”

Another fan joined in. “His private life is none of your business!”

“Apologize! Now!”

Surrounded and losing face, the man flushed red. “Am I wrong? He’s just a gigolo living off his looks!”

“Disgusting, getting with men for fame!”

“You’re the disgusting one!” another girl shot back.

More people joined the argument.

Already freezing and irritated, the fans grew even angrier at the insults.

Enraged, the man suddenly threw the hot coffee in his hand at the first girl who had argued with him.

“Get lost, you bunch of face-obsessed bitches!”

The steaming brown liquid arced through the air—

The girl froze, too shocked to move.

Suddenly, a strong, pale hand pulled her back.

Lu Er stepped sideways, shielding her.

Splash!

The entire cup of coffee hit the right side of Lu Er’s face and shoulder.

Dark liquid soaked into the velvet suit instantly, clinging to his skin.

The heat seeped through the shirt, the bitter aroma of coffee mixed with sweet creamer filling the air.

Everyone froze.

Even the man hadn’t expected a big star like Lu Er to take the hit for a fan—especially right before the ceremony.

The first to react was the girl he had protected.

Seeing the stains on his face and the ruined suit, tears streamed down instantly.

“L-LuLu… are you okay? Is it hot? Does it hurt?”

Lu Er glanced at himself, then wiped the coffee from his face.

Fortunately, it wasn’t too hot.

“I’m fine,” he said with a small smile. “Not hot.”

Then he looked at the man.

His gaze was calm—no anger, no accusation.

Just calm.

The man felt uneasy and stepped back. “Why are you looking at me? She started it!”

Lu Er said nothing. He took out tissues and handed one to the girl behind him.

“Wipe your tears. Don’t worry, I’m fine.”

By then, Bai Zhi and the bodyguards rushed in.

Seeing his condition, her vision went dark.

“Brother Lu, you—”

“I’m fine. Clear the crowd first.”

The man tried to escape but was grabbed by bodyguards.

Lu Er sighed. “This suit belongs to the brand. It needs to be returned after the event.”

“You know I still owe billions. Four hundred thousand isn’t a small amount. My lawyer will contact you.”

The man froze.

Four hundred thousand—he didn’t even earn a tenth of that in a year.

Fans shouted angrily, demanding more compensation.

Lu Er calmed them, checked the time—twenty minutes left.

Looking at his ruined suit, he sighed.

He really had jinxed himself.

“Bai Zhi, give me makeup wipes. Looks like I really am going bare-faced tonight.”

Her eyes reddened. “I’m sorry… I should’ve insisted…”

“Not your fault. I chose this.”

Surrounded by bodyguards, Bai Zhi quickly cleaned his face, revealing fair skin—slightly reddened but not burned.

At the red carpet entrance, the media exploded.

“What happened to Lu Er’s face?”

“Why is he bare-faced?”

“Still the best-looking face in Asia…”

Flashbulbs went wild.

He stood calmly, face clean but hair slightly messy, suit stained.

The media were stunned.

They’d photographed glamorous stars, falls, wardrobe malfunctions—but never this.

A reporter called out, “Why are you wearing a stained suit? No sponsors?”

Lu Er paused and turned.

“Someone liked my sponsor a bit too much,” he said. “So they treated me to coffee.”

He added lightly, “A bit too sweet. Less sugar next time.”

Then he turned and walked on.

In A City, Song Jingmo frowned as he saw the trending news.