Huayu: The Big Players Behind the Scenes

Beijing Capital International Airport

Zhuang Huai'an looked at the crowd surrounding the exit gate, completely bewildered. He then turned to look at Du Hua.

"Did you spend money?"

"No."

Du Hua was also dumbfounded. Who would pay someone to pretend to be a fan and greet someone at the airport?

Du Hua 18 years later: ?

"So what's going on?"

Looking around, Zhuang Huai'an saw at least seventy or eighty people gathered there, with several banners hanging up.

[Zhuang Huai'an Film Fan Meeting]

Congratulations to Coach Zhuang on winning the championship for the second time!

[Fans from Tieba came to pay their respects]

Oh, I understand.

Zhuang Huai'an nodded. If it was the all-knowing Baidu Tieba users, then this wouldn't be surprising.

100 chapters! I, Lao Zhuang, have fans now!

"Look, Director Zhuang is coming out!"

A sharp-eyed fan spotted Zhuang Huai'an, and with a shout, everyone gathered around.

"Hey guys, don't rush."

Zhuang Huai'an panicked. This was an international departure point; his small frame couldn't withstand an accident here.

"Brothers, how about we go over there and talk things over?"

Zhuang Huai'an pointed to the open space where he had been interviewed before and shouted, "It doesn't look good to fence it off here. There's a bigger space over there."

"it is good."

"Listen to Director Zhuang."

"Brothers, let's go."

Fans were incredibly excited to be able to get so close to their idol, Zhuang Huai'an, whom they hadn't expected to be so approachable.

Seeing that everyone was at least following orders, Zhuang Huai'an breathed a sigh of relief and whispered to Du Hua, "Quickly contact airport security and then buy some food and drinks."

"OK."

Du Hua didn't dare to delay and quickly went to handle it. Before she could take a few steps, airport security arrived on the scene and, with great experience, set up a cordon to separate Zhuang Huai'an and his group from the fans.

Also arriving were paparazzi who had been waiting at the airport. They were even more excited than the fans, feeling as if they had been struck by good fortune.

"Did you all contact each other through Tieba?"

Looking at his first batch of fans, Zhuang Huai'an asked softly, "Is that the initiator?"

"Director Zhuang, it's me."

A burly man raised his hand to signal, then scratched his head and said somewhat embarrassedly, "I am the moderator of Zhuang Huai'an's forum. When I learned that you were returning to China today, I thought I would come to pick you up at the airport. I didn't expect that after the post was published, everyone would be so enthusiastic, and in the end, we managed to gather 76 people."

Zhuang Huai'an was a little confused. He hadn't revealed any flight information. Could it be that his secret had been exposed?

At this moment, Du Hua directed the convenience store staff to push a small cart piled high with drinks and bread.

"It's rare to see everyone so enthusiastic. Since we're already here, let's have some water and a snack first."

Zhuang Huai'an personally stepped forward to distribute the items, and even airport security and paparazzi taking photos nearby were not spared.

This made many people sigh with admiration, saying that with this attitude, he deserved to succeed.

"With so many of us here, it's putting extra pressure on the security guards. How about this, we end our meeting here for now. Later, when I get back to the company, I'll create an account on my Baidu Tieba forum. If you guys have any questions, you can post them, and I'll try my best to reply. Okay?"

I don't want to leave either, but he calls me brother.

Seeing that Zhuang Huai'an was easygoing and had no airs at all, and kept calling him "brother," what else was there to say? Everyone agreed.

"Brothers, wait a minute. I need to call the company and have my assistant register an account for me."

Zhuang Huai'an took out his phone and called Wang Zhiyong, asking him to create an account called "Zhuang Huai'an zz" on Tieba. After confirming the account, he asked Wang Zhiyong to post a message before revealing the ID to everyone.

"The internet is fun, but there are also a lot of scammers. I want to make it clear to everyone in advance that anyone asking you to transfer money or send photos in my name is definitely not me. Please don't believe them. My account is only for chatting with everyone."

After saying that, Zhuang Huai'an smiled at the paparazzi and said, "I'd also appreciate it if you guys could help me publish this news."

"Director Zhuang, rest assured, I will not fail your trust."

The paparazzi patted their chests, saying that they had always been the target of people's hatred and abuse, and had never been treated like this before. They even got drinks while taking photos.

No, I need to think of a way to praise him!

The fans nodded in agreement, praising the director's meticulousness and the excellent patchwork.

After thinking for a moment, Zhuang Huai'an looked at the burly man and asked, "Brother, what's your name?"

"My name is Lei Gong, Lei as in thunder and Gong as in kung fu."

"Wow, that's a great name, and the person lives up to it."

Zhuang Huai'an gave him a thumbs up and then said, "Brother Lei Gong, you seem like a very tough guy. How about you do me a favor?"

Lei Gong was overjoyed; my idol praised me for being tough!

"Director Zhuang, you said it! I'll brave any danger, even going through fire and water!"

"It's not that exaggerated."

Zhuang Huai'an smiled and waved his hand, "It's not easy for you guys to come all this way, so I can't let you guys come for nothing. Director Du Hua, who's next to me, will stay and reimburse you guys for your taxi fares. Brother Lei Gong, just help Director Du out."

Everyone's eyes widened in astonishment. What kind of idol is this? You can even get your travel expenses reimbursed if you're a fan?

I made the right choice in becoming a fan of this person!

Lei Gong was also dumbfounded. He felt that something was wrong, but he couldn't quite put his finger on it.

Zhuang Huai'an smiled and patted him on the shoulder, then turned to signal Zhuang Daqiang to stay and help Du Hua with his work. After waving goodbye to everyone, he boarded the shuttle bus brought by airport security and headed to the parking lot.

I casually sent Du Hua a message: Two hundred per person, waiting for you in the parking lot.

Nowadays, the starting fare for a taxi in Beijing is 10 yuan, and 100 yuan can take you from the airport across the city to Daxing.

Upon arriving at the parking lot, Zhuang Huai'an didn't rush to get in the car. Instead, he pulled Zhuang Dali to a corner to smoke.

Inside the car, Wan Qian thought about her boss's composure earlier and quickly took out her phone to send a message to an unknown young girl. This was a good opportunity to make a name for herself.

When Zhang Lu, who was standing to the side, accidentally glanced at the contents of the message while stretching her neck, she was suddenly alarmed. "You little brat, you're tipping me off, aren't you?"

No, no one can shake my position as the number one person in the backyard!

Zhang Lu took out her phone, found her contact list, and was about to type when she remembered her identity and suddenly stopped.

Wan Qian ruined me! She almost caused a huge mistake!

Well, Wan Qian could do this kind of thing, but she couldn't.

Because she is Zhuang Huai'an's assistant, even if everyone knows that Zhuang and Liu have developed feelings for each other and are exchanging flirtatious glances, she still has to recognize her own position.

The biggest taboo in the assistant industry is betraying one's own side!

Even if Liu Yifei becomes the boss's wife in the future, Zhang Lu must abide by the rules. When you're in this business, you have to be loyal!

After thinking it over, Zhang Lu put away her phone.

Before long, Du Hua and his companion returned. Seeing that everyone was there, Zhuang Huai'an signaled the driver to start the car.

On the way,

Zhuang Huai'an reviewed his actions and, finding nothing wrong with them, secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

What happened today was definitely an accident; it must have been Lei Gong's unintentional act.

As a director working behind the scenes, let alone in this day and age, even in 2026, people generally still follow celebrities. Apart from certain artsy youths, who would have the time to become a fan of a director?

Can you name the director of the TV series your idol starred in?

Even if you can name him, would you recognize the director if you picked him out on his own?

Director Gan was surrounded and cheered by fans as he walked outside.

Are you Yao Yitian?