The sun shone brightly, and Winter Day was radiant.
Beijing, halfway through January, wasn't too cold today.
Ever since arriving in North America, there seemingly hadn't been anywhere he needed to spend his own money. He'd almost forgotten that he didn't have a single cent on him now.
In the end, he conjured a pack of cigarettes as cab fare.
The ride from Beijing Airport to here cost a little over fifty yuan, so a pack of soft Huaxia cigarettes was just about right.
It would have been even better if the middle-aged driver hadn't lit one up and said with the weathered air of an older man, "Kid, even if you've gone bankrupt, don't do anything stupid like ending your life."
Fang Ran walked through the streets of the Central District, looking toward the convention center ahead, where cars filled the parking area. On its white glass exterior wall,
a huge promotional poster bore the words "Night Crow."
Below it were stills of the starring celebrities.
He had originally wanted to return quietly and surprise everyone, but after seeing that girl among them, a new thought arose out of sheer amusement.
He was curious what those familiar figures did in their everyday lives, curious about them when he wasn't around.
The moment he returned from North America, he hadn't gone straight back to The Cabin.
Fang Ran decided to secretly take a look at those figures first.
As he arrived at the convention center entrance, a lively crowd had gathered before the main doors.
A red carpet, posters, ceremonial flower baskets, security guards maintaining order, on-site staff, and countless fans waiting outside the event barriers.
Movie press conferences required tickets—or rather, invitations.
Usually, only media outlets and guests invited by the organizers could enter. For major events that needed