CEO's Sweetheart is a Super Idol-Chapter 429 - 421: Meeting on Site

某中心

The first fan meet of Natural Girl was held here.

As a prominent fan, Li Ke still enjoyed certain privileges—at the very least, he got a ticket to the event.

At the same time, being a key fan, he also prepared support materials along with other fans.

But Li Ke felt disgusted at the moment because Meng Meixuan’s major fan, Qiu Fan, was standing not far from him.

No idea what the management was thinking—they somehow arranged for the support zones of both fandoms to be right next to each other.

Qiu Fan naturally knew Li Ke too. She shot him a disdainful side-eye, let out a cold snort, then turned away.

"Shit," Li Ke muttered under his breath.

"Please take this." Seeing a fan from his own group approach, he promptly handed over a small bag.

"What’s this?"

"Support lights, and a support headband!"

Li Ke said as he pulled out a headband and tried it on himself.

"Bro, do we really have to wear this? It looks... weird."

"You must wear it. This was custom-made after multiple discussions by the support group."

Though the slightly chubby fan was reluctant, he still put it on.

Li Ke casually helped him turn on the switch, and the tiny flowers on top of the band lit up brightly.

The girl nearby couldn’t help but laugh.

"Isn’t this a little too girly?" The chubby fan was visibly worried.

"Not at all, it’s cute! This is exactly the vibe we’re going for!"

"Alright, as long as it’s not green." The chubby fan took his items and walked slowly inside.

About 1,200 people showed up today—it was practically a mini concert.

The stage was the traditional face-to-face setup, with a massive LED screen at the back.

To create a closer fan experience, the management even made a temporary secondary stage.

This T-shaped stage allowed the front-row ticket holders to get closer to the performers.

Obviously, it was hinting to fans: spend more money!

Li Ke also entered the venue. Although this stage wasn’t as glamorous as the ones during their debut days,

it was more intimate—and for a fan meet, the setup was more than sufficient.

Backstage

Ye Yuwei and the staff were enjoying various snacks and fruits sent over by the fans as part of their support.

Fans like Li Ke often provided food during support activities to show care for their idols.

Don’t underestimate the cost—these snacks came from upscale Western bakeries, and the fruits were all imported.

The apple Ye Yuwei was eating now cost over 200 yuan apiece.

Support was originally meant for idols only, but fearing their idols might feel mistreated, fans started giving food to all program staff equally.

This eventually evolved into sending high-end Western and Chinese cuisine, mainly for media attention—to show their idols had clout.

However, this competitive trend intensified, and some idol companies directly told fans what to provide (all expensive items), leading to disputes between fans and companies.

But companies like Natural Girl’s management still had some dignity and wouldn’t suggest such things directly.

"Sister Yezi, we can’t finish eating all this stuff they’ve given us!" Lv Fangxin was lamenting over the table and floor piled with food.

Some of the pricey pastries were nibbled by staff then left half-eaten, only for them to quickly grab something new.

"It won’t go to waste; leftovers can be taken home," Ye Yuwei replied.

"Can we take some ourselves? I think that pastry is really delicious."

"...You can take a few, but leave some for those who want it," Ye Yuwei said.

She understood the etiquette here—taking too much would make them seem petty.

"I think next time, we should let our fans donate to charity instead. Don’t send us stuff anymore." Zhang Zijing expressed disdain for the wastefulness.

"I agree. We can just buy things ourselves." Duan Yuxin supported the idea.

Lai Ruoxuan couldn’t help but chuckle as she exchanged a glance with Jiang Mengqi.

As idols with orthodox training backgrounds, they believed fans supporting idols was perfectly natural.

Fans sustained them, but in return, idols brought joy to their fans.

Meng Meixuan smiled and said, "Yuxin, we’re idols! Fan support is a vital part of our survival."

Wu Zixuan added with a laugh, "Yeah, in certain other countries, it’s even more intense. Without fan support, who would buy our products?"

"But we’re not idols—we’re celebrities," Duan Yuxin said earnestly.

Including Ye Yuwei, the others gave her a contemplative look.

"...Sis, sisters, did I say something wrong?"

"No, you didn’t. We were the ones who got it wrong." Ye Yuwei sighed internally.

They, who had been in the industry for years, didn’t even have the ambition of this young girl.

Idols, indeed, relied on fan financial backing, but celebrities did not.

Celebrities earned their wealth through their commercial value to society.

In other words, their works could attract the spending of general audiences.

"Ladies, in the future, let’s stop relying on fan club-style support!"

"Absolutely. We have our own works now—we are celebrities, not mere idols anymore." Meng Meixuan spoke firmly.

"Yes, we are all major celebrities." Wu Zixuan’s face was full of confidence.

Duan Yuxin hadn’t expected her casual remark to create such a stir among her older mentors.

After all, out of the group, only she and Li Zimeng weren’t idol-trained.

Li Zimeng wasn’t very familiar with Huaxia’s fan culture, and Duan Yuxin didn’t understand it much either.

To Duan Yuxin, being able to perform on a grand stage with such a platform naturally meant she was a celebrity.

Within the venue

As the start time of the event closed in, fans grew increasingly restless.

Those who knew each other began chatting.

However, as the announcement broadcast played, fans quieted down again.

The lights dimmed, leaving the space barely lit enough to see the aisles.

A crimson ocean appeared—a banner of Natural Girl illuminated on the massive LED screen.

The fans couldn’t contain their excitement and burst into cheers. Each support group waved their props enthusiastically.

Li Ke seemed like a different person, his face flushed red, shouting at the top of his lungs.

The screen flickered, revealing an endless grassland, followed by scenes of Natural Girl members wearing white blouses and long skirts, running beneath the blue sky.

These were cuts from the MV of their debut EP’s title track, "Brave Wind."

Scene after scene flashed—the girls eventually gathering by a lush, picturesque water meadow.

As the rhythmic background beat picked up, Meng Meixuan and the 11 members appeared on stage.

Close-up shots of their faces filled the giant screen, as fans shouted their idols’ names in unison.

Initially somewhat uncoordinated, by the time it reached Lv Fangxin, the cheers were perfectly in sync, deafeningly loud.

The 11 members were both nervous and excited—this was their first time on such a grand stage again after a six-month break.

And this time, everyone here came just for them.

One by one, they shed their signature cape, revealing elaborate Hanfu-inspired uniforms beneath.

The 11 of them, bold and dignified, looked like modern-day warrior women transported through time.

Though the impact wasn’t overwhelming, the presentation had a unique flair.

Unlike traditional girl groups that relied on over-the-top cuteness or forced charm,

this opening was undeniably well-thought-out.

The intro of "Brave Wind" began, vibrant lights converged on the stage.

Soon, a beam of dazzling light enveloped them.

In the fervent cheers of the fans, accompanied by the powerful music, the 11 began their first song with synchronized dance moves.

The opening atmosphere instantly reached its peak.

Wow! So cool!

Ah! Hubby, I love you!

Ah! Meixuan, Meixuan!

Oh heavens! Lv Fangxin, Lv Fangxin!

Li Ke’s enthusiasm soared—he wildly shook his arms, his eyes fixed solely on his idol.

Some fans even clapped and cheered—management had chosen the perfect opening song.

After all, "Brave Wind" was about courage and freedom, like the wind soaring across an open sky.

Natural Girl had weathered countless hardships since their formation.

Today, they were finally poised as a flawless group of 11, ready to embark on fresh journeys of chasing dreams.

It was truly the perfect opening track.

Fans swayed their arms to the rhythm, fully immersed in this wondrous experience.

The live stage performance was simply unparalleled in charm.

No modern audio technology could ever replace this.

Forget about the electrifying atmosphere—just getting to see their idols up-close, noticing even the tiniest details of their makeup, was an incomparable satisfaction.

The management had certainly spared no expense on this stage design.