Dilraba's rise to fame began with her appearance on Running Man.

"Hey, don't be so down!" Dilraba sat down next to him and nudged him with her elbow. "Filming variety shows is so much fun! Plus, I'll protect you!"

Deng Zhe was amused by her and turned to look at her: "You're going to protect me? With your IQ, you'd be lucky if you didn't get sold out and then help the seller count the money."

"Hey! Deng Zhe! Don't look down on me!" Dilraba protested, "I'm very smart, okay! Besides, we still have Deng Chao Ge! He's a movie star! He has an amazing sense of humor!"

When Deng Chao was mentioned, Deng Zhe's expression softened.

This cousin, though usually carefree, is incredibly devoted to his younger cousin. Having him around during filming at least minimizes unnecessary trouble.

"By the way," Dilraba suddenly remembered something and asked curiously, "Does Chao-ge know we live together? Won't he misunderstand?"

"What misunderstanding?" Deng Zhe raised an eyebrow, teasing her on purpose.

"Well...well...oh dear!" Dilraba blushed, grabbed a cushion from the sofa, and threw it at him. "You know perfectly well what I'm asking! How annoying!"

Deng Zhe easily caught the pillow, and seeing her embarrassed and annoyed expression, his mood inexplicably improved.

He stood up and stretched: "Alright, stop overthinking. Hurry up and clear the table and wash the dishes; we have to get up early to catch our flight tomorrow."

"Yes, sir! 'Dog Assistant'!" Dilraba made a face and got up to help him clear the table.

Soon the kitchen became lively.

"Comrade Dilireba Dilmurat, are you planning to tear down the kitchen?"

"No, the spoon jumped down by itself!"

"Oh? Are the plates also preparing for a collective uprising?"

"Deng Zhe! You're so annoying!!"

After tidying up, Reba, exhausted from a long day, yawned and went upstairs to wash up.

Deng Zhe turned off the living room light, returned to his room, stood by the window, and looked at the dazzling city night view outside.

The retirement plan has been completely shelved, and everything ahead is unknown.

But strangely, he didn't feel much resistance at the moment; instead, he felt a... faint anticipation?

Perhaps, starting a chaotic new life under the spotlight with this "Fatty Di" isn't all bad.

After all, looking into her vibrant eyes, even the noisy world seemed less boring.

My phone vibrated; it was a WeChat message from Deng Chao.

[You little brat! You think you're all grown up now? You signed with Running Man without even telling me first? Just you wait! See how I 'take care' of you on set! [Evil grin][Evil grin]]

The post also included a meme of his signature funny face.

Deng Zhe looked at the screen, a smile involuntarily creeping onto his lips. He tapped his finger lightly to reply:

=Same to you. No need for 'taking care' of me, just don't hold me back. [picking nose]

Also, keep your mouth shut and stop spouting nonsense.

Although Deng Chao was thirteen years older than him, the two had always had a very good relationship.

Deng Chao has always cared for his younger cousin since they were little, and his cousin is always willing to share things with him.

Five years ago, not long after he transmigrated here, Deng Chao got married, and he was the best man at that wedding.

His sister-in-law, Sun Li, treated him very well. Whenever Sun Li came to Beijing during his university years, she would always treat him to a nice meal.

At that time, Deng Zhe's parents were still in their hometown, and he was all alone in Beijing studying at university.

Later, his younger sister Deng He was also admitted to a university in Beijing, so Deng Zhe simply bought a house in Beijing and brought his parents over.

Thinking of his younger sister Deng He, he took out his phone and sent her a message: "Hehe, I have to go on a business trip for a while. Remember to come home and spend time with Mom and Dad when you have time."

Five seconds later, the other party replied with an OK emoji.

Deng Zhe put down his phone, and the image of his cousin Deng Chao's mischievous grin came back to mind.

He shook his head helplessly. His cousin's "troublemaking" personality had remained unchanged for more than a decade.

The days to come are likely to be so "interesting" they'll give him a headache.

The next morning, after breakfast, the company's nanny van was already waiting downstairs.

Deng Zhe looked at Dilraba, who was unusually excited beside him: "Did you bring your ID card? Power bank, data cable?"

"Yes, I brought it!" Dilraba nodded quickly. "I've checked it! It's in my handbag!"

"Okay." Deng Zhe nodded. "Let's go then."

"Yes, Assistant Deng!" Dilraba smiled and dragged her luggage as she followed Deng Zhe outside.

Deng Zhe and Dilraba both wore hats and masks, and with the help of their assistants and drivers, they loaded their luggage into the car.

A large number of fans and reporters carrying cameras and microphones had already gathered at the airport's VIP exit.

When Deng Zhe and Dilraba appeared, wearing matching black baseball caps and masks, the crowd instantly stirred.

"Dilraba!! Dilraba, look this way!"

"Dilraba has lost weight! She looks so beautiful!"

"Aaaaaah! Assistant! Deng Zhe!! Look at the camera!"

"Zhe-ge! Take good care of our Fatty Di!"

"Deng Zhe! Where's your electric scooter? Did you ride it today?"

"Dog assistant! Don't be so dog-like this time on Running Man! Be nicer to Dilraba!"

The shouts of fans rose and fell, mixed with good-natured teasing and laughter.

Deng Zhe subconsciously turned to the side, slightly shielding Reba behind him, and whispered, "Keep your head down, don't stop, just keep going."

Dilraba was clearly still a little unaccustomed to this scene, but being protected by Deng Zhe made her feel inexplicably at ease.

She obediently lowered her head and quickly followed Deng Zhe and the staff towards the security checkpoint.

The flashes went off incessantly, and Deng Zhe's "keep away" sunglasses and upright posture only added to his coolness in the photos.

"Tsk, this kid's got style." A paparazzo holding a camera muttered.

After finally getting through security, they arrived at the relatively quiet VIP area. Dilraba breathed a sigh of relief and patted her chest: "That scared me to death, there were so many people!"

Deng Zhe took off his sunglasses and rubbed his temples: "This is just the beginning. There will only be more and more people in the future. You'll have to get used to it."

The two found seats in the VIP lounge. Dilraba took out her phone and scrolled through Weibo; sure enough, photos and short videos of them at the airport were already everywhere.

#Dilraba and Deng Zhe spotted at the airport#

#Dog Assistant Escorts Dilraba#

#Dilraba's Condition#

The number of entries for these terms rose rapidly.

The comments section is still lively:

Dilraba has really lost a lot of weight! Her temperament is even better now! Assistant Deng deserves a lot of credit!

[Deng Zhe's protective gesture towards Dilraba is so natural! It's almost too sweet to watch!]

[My assistant didn't ride his electric scooter today, bad review! (doge emoji)]

The two of them have an inexplicably compatible vibe when they're together! Looking forward to Running Man!

Am I the only one who noticed that Deng Zhe's suitcase is much smaller than Dilraba's? Men are so simple (laughing and crying)

Dilraba blushed slightly as she read the comments, and secretly glanced at Deng Zhe, who was resting with his eyes closed beside her.

His sharply defined profile stood out clearly under the lights of the waiting area.

When this guy isn't talking or being annoying, he's actually... quite good-looking.

The plane landed smoothly at Yiwu Airport. The production team arranged a private car to pick them up and take them directly to their hotel.

"Ms. Reba, Ms. Deng Zhe, these are your room keys." The staff member handed over two room keys.

"Teacher Reba lives in 1508, and Teacher Deng Zhe, you live in... 1509. It's right across from Teacher Reba's room."

Deng Zhe took the room key and raised an eyebrow. Was this arrangement by the production team a coincidence or intentional? Well, it's fine too; it makes visiting each other easier.

Dilraba breathed a sigh of relief. Thank goodness, it wasn't an apartment above hers, but across the hall. A safe distance.

They each swiped their cards to enter their rooms. The rooms arranged by the production team were quite nice, spacious and comfortable. Deng Zhe had just put down his luggage when his phone rang.